Lower Allen rescinds recent data‑center zoning edits, schedules July 13 public hearing

The Lower Allen Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to rescind revisions previously approved at the June 8 meeting to the draft data‑center text amendment and to advertise a consolidated public hearing for Monday, July 13 at 5:00 p.m.

Director Sweeney told the board that staff and planning agencies should review substantive proposed changes in one consolidated package rather than sending piecemeal edits back and forth because splitting the review could delay the public‑hearing process by several months. “Because the changes were deemed substantive, we would need to send it back to the planning agencies for review, thus losing a month or more before we actually have the hearing,” Director Sweeney said.

Commissioner Schwartz moved to rescind the June 8 revisions and to authorize advertising of a public hearing; both motions carried 5–0. The rescission and readvertisement are intended to allow staff and the public to comment on a single revised draft during the formal hearing and agency review process.

Why it matters: Draft zoning rules for data centers could affect where high‑density server facilities are permitted and what standards apply (setbacks, buffering, utilities, noise, and other design controls); the board’s action preserves an opportunity for robust public review and consolidates agency feedback so the board can consider all substantive changes at once.

What’s next: Staff will circulate the revised draft to planning agencies and publish notice for the July 13 hearing. Commissioners said they expect additional public comment and possible substantive edits to follow the multi‑agency review.