Public anger after data zoning amendment passes in Archbald

An Archbald Borough Council meeting last night was flooded with residents who strongly opposed a contentious zoning amendment involving data centers, which ultimately passed by a narrow margin. Despite nearly 20 residents speaking against the measure at the podium and dozens more cramming into the meeting room, four of Archbald’s seven councilmen voted in favor of the amendment. The newly passed measure establishes four specific zones for data center development, clearly defining the facilities within the borough's zoning ordinance and requiring developers to meet borough-set conditions. The amendment's passage came as a blow to critics who argue it lacks sufficient environmental and operational guardrails, especially since the same proposal had previously failed to secure a second motion and died on the floor when first introduced in October.