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Lancaster council directs staff to draft zoning rules for data centers after months of public concern
Summary
Lancaster City Council voted to direct the solicitor and Planning Bureau to draft a zoning ordinance amendment to regulate data centers. The move drew extensive public comment on water use, noise, air emissions and grid impacts and followed updates from the administration about developer commitments and an appeal to the zoning hearing board.
Council President Baker on Aug. 26 asked Lancaster City Council to direct the city solicitor and the Planning Bureau to draft a zoning ordinance amendment to address the land use of data centers, and council voted to approve the request for preparation and review.
"I would like to make a motion that council direct the solicitor and the Planning Bureau to draft a zoning ordinance amendment in accordance with applicable law to legislatively address the land use of data centers to protect the impacts on the community for presentation at the October Committee meeting," Council President Baker said.
The motion, presented as part of the president's report, directs staff to prepare proposed language and requests that the City Planning Commission review the draft and provide recommendations before council considers any readings. Council unanimously approved the direction to staff.
Why it matters: residents and business owners filled the council chamber to press for clearer, enforceable limits on proposed data centers near Lancaster. Speakers raised…
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