Luzerne County officials are taking steps to address community anxiety regarding the potential influx of massive data centers. During an informational session on Thursday, the county's GIS, Planning, and Zoning Department detailed a comprehensive new ordinance designed to regulate these facilities before any developers officially break ground.
The proposed regulations, which have been in development since last summer, aim to balance economic interests with strict community protections. Key highlights of the draft include:
Updated Ordinance Standards (as of March 2026)
Constant Noise Control: The move to a 45-decibel limit at all hours is a major shift. For context, 45 decibels is roughly equivalent to the hum of a quiet library or a peaceful urban area at night, addressing concerns about the constant "buzzing" or "humming" associated with large cooling units.
Expanded Setbacks: The 2,000-foot setback applies to "sensitive receptors," which now specifically includes residential structures, schools, daycares, community centers, places of worship, and recreational facilities.
Zoning Restrictions: Large-scale "Hyperscale" and "Major" data centers would be limited to heavy industrial, light industrial, and mining zones.
Infrastructure Demands: Developers must provide "will-serve" letters from utility companies and submit detailed water feasibility studies to ensure the projects do not deplete local groundwater or strain the electrical grid.
While no data center proposals are currently pending in the 20 municipalities covered by county zoning, officials stressed that they want to be proactive rather than reactive. A revised version of the ordinance is scheduled to be presented to the county Planning Commission on Thursday, March 12. If recommended, it will then move to the County Council for a work session and a mandatory public hearing before a final vote is taken.
