Penn Forest supervisors declare zoning ordinance invalid over data-center exclusion, adopt curative-amendment resolution

Penn Forest Township supervisors voted Sept. 12 to declare a portion of the township’s 2011 zoning ordinance substantively invalid because, the board said, it “does not permit data centers, or data center accessory uses, or any similar use,” and they adopted Resolution No. 9 of 2025 to propose a curative amendment to address that invalidity.

Chairman Roger Meckes moved to declare the zoning provision invalid; Supervisor Scott Lignore seconded the motion. The roll call was recorded as: Meckes — yes; Christian Bartulovich (vice-chair) — yes; Scott Lignore — yes; Patrick Holland — yes; James Denier — absent. The motion passed. Meckes then moved to adopt Resolution No. 9 of 2025, a procedural step proposing preparation of a curative amendment; Bartulovich seconded and the resolution passed on the same roll-call outcome.

Why it matters: declaring a portion of the ordinance substantively invalid opens a formal path to change zoning language that the board says currently prevents data-center development or related accessory uses within the township. The adopted resolution directs preparation of a curative amendment — a local legislative fix intended to bring the ordinance into compliance with applicable legal standards and to clarify permitted uses.

The meeting record does not include substantive public comment on the actions; Chairman Meckes opened the floor for comments but no speakers are recorded. The board adjourned at 3:34 p.m.

Next steps: the board has authorized preparation of a curative amendment; the transcript and minutes do not specify a timeline, staff lead, or public-hearing schedule for that amendment.