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Commissioners: county lacks authority for a data-center moratorium; subdivision ordinance work underway
Summary
After receiving requests to consider a moratorium on data centers, commissioners said state law (Municipalities Planning Code) limits county authority and described a DCED-funded effort led by the planning commission to draft a county subdivision and land-development ordinance, with a public presentation expected by late August.
A speaker at the July 1 meeting noted New York’s governor placed a one-year moratorium on data centers there; the county has since received letters asking Jefferson County to consider similar action. Commissioner (S2) said the county cannot impose a moratorium under the Municipalities Planning Code and that taking such action would invite legal problems.
S2 described an ongoing, DCED-funded effort to develop a Jefferson County subdivision and land-development ordinance led by the planning commission. He said the planning commission is ahead of schedule and expects to present a draft to the public by late August, with further review before the end of the year. S2 repeatedly urged boroughs and townships to act immediately if they want protections specific to their municipalities rather than waiting for a countywide product.
