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County staff urges revisions to proposed data-center ordinance; offers to help craft model language
Summary
Dauphin County staff told the commission that Grattsboro's proposed ordinance for data centers contains definitional and drafting problems; the county advised the borough not to adopt the ordinance as written and offered technical assistance on model language.
County planning staff reviewed a proposed Grattsboro ordinance to regulate data centers and recommended the borough not adopt the draft as written because of definitional gaps and drafting inconsistencies.
Staff said the borough's proposal included a new definition and made data centers a conditional use in industrial districts, an approach staff supports in principle. However, staff identified multiple drafting problems including unclear definitions, inconsistent treatment of data-mining uses, and other language that could produce unintended results or create legal vulnerabilities.
Staff recommended Grattsboro coordinate with its solicitor and with county planning to rework the ordinance language. County staff said they are already preparing guidance and a data-centers fact sheet and are willing to work with borough staff and elected officials to develop clearer, implementable ordinance text.
The commission voted to accept staff's recommendation to withhold support for the ordinance in its current form and to offer technical assistance to Grattsboro on drafting improved language.
County staff said the intent to regulate data centers is appropriate given regional interest but cautioned that poor drafting could frustrate policy goals and create legal exposure for the borough.
