Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission forwards draft ordinance on data centers and solar to council after public comments
Summary
The commission voted to forward proposed Ordinance 1111‑26 (amending Chapter 220 on data centers, solar and related conditional uses) to borough council after public comment, including requests to ease permitting for small residential solar and to consider community benefit provisions.
The Murrysville Planning Commission voted July 14 to forward proposed Ordinance 1111‑26 — a draft amendment to Chapter 220 addressing data centers, solar energy facilities and related conditional uses — to borough council for further consideration and a council public hearing.
Staff reported the ordinance draft incorporates prior commission input, including screening requirements, conditional‑use protections for large installations and an explicit 10‑acre minimum for some uses. Commissioners discussed district limitations that would confine certain large facilities to B‑district parcels and noted that the state recently required annual reporting of water and electricity use for large facilities, a change the draft attempts to address through conditional‑use review.
During public comment, Jerry Catilius (who said he lives on Treeline Drive and described experience managing data‑center infrastructure and residential solar systems) urged the commission to simplify permitting for residential and small rooftop solar so those systems are permitted by right rather than routed through the commercial conditional‑use process. Catilius also suggested the ordinance include incentives or provisions encouraging data centers or utilities to offer battery/payback programs for nearby residents.
Commissioners closed the public hearing and voted by voice to forward the draft ordinance to borough council; staff and the commission signaled an intent to expedite council consideration so the borough can adopt updated rules and receive the protection offered by an ordinance amendment while state and federal reporting requirements evolve.
The recommendation sends the ordinance to council; council will schedule a public hearing and final action. The draft ordinance text and staff recommendations will remain available during council review.
