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Residents urge county action on proposed data center in West Finley Township; solicitor points to zoning as remedy
Summary
Residents raised environmental and health concerns about a proposed data center near West Finley Township during public comment. The county solicitor told residents the primary remedy is township zoning; commissioners offered to meet with residents.
Residents from West Finley Township and nearby areas told the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday they are worried about a proposed data center and associated power plant in rural parts of the county, citing potential effects on wells, wildlife, bees and property values.
"Data centers completely depreciate the value of our homes in the area," said Henrietta O'Brien, who identified herself as a West Finley Township resident. O'Brien said the company Next Generation (as she referenced it) has looked at property in the area and that residents were concerned about energy and water use, title V permits for emissions from a power plant and low-frequency noise affecting health.
Another resident said he keeps bees near the proposed site and fears negative impacts on pollinators. Petitioners told the board they gathered more than 450 signatures in less than a week and invited commissioners to a township meeting scheduled Friday at 4:30 p.m.
County Solicitor (role title) told attendees that, under Pennsylvania municipal planning law, townships that lack zoning ordinances must allow all land uses and that the way to regulate or limit potentially "obnoxious" land uses is adoption of a zoning ordinance. "The only way that you can regulate an obnoxious land use… is through a zoning ordinance," the solicitor said, noting several municipalities in the county do not have ordinances.
The solicitor recommended designating uses such as data centers or solar farms as conditional uses in a township zoning ordinance so the township can attach conditions, tests and reports required for approval.
Commissioners encouraged residents to meet with county staff; one commissioner offered to schedule a follow-up meeting and advised residents to contact local supervisors immediately. No formal county action, moratorium or ordinance was adopted at the meeting.
Residents asked the county to notify townships and raise awareness in rural communities without zoning so they can consider safeguards before building permits are issued.
