Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER
The Mifflin County Planning Commission met on Thursday.

LEWISTOWN — As interest in potential data center development continues throughout Mifflin County, the Mifflin County Planning Commission on Thursday advanced a draft data center ordinance while updating an informational guidance document intended to help municipalities better understand the emerging industry.

Planning Director Jim Lettiere told the commission the revised Data Center Planning and Guidance Document is designed to educate municipal officials and the public rather than advocate for or against data center development.

“The revised Data Center Planning and Guidance Document goes over everything dealing with data centers,” Lettiere said. “It doesn’t take a stance for or against data centers. It just lays out some of the permanent items such as the history of data centers and the purpose and intent of the document.”

The document outlines the different types of data centers, discusses their potential economic benefits and environmental impacts, explains planning and zoning considerations, and offers recommendations municipalities may consider when developing zoning or subdivision and land development regulations. It also addresses issues including energy demand, water use, wastewater, noise, lighting, emergency services, public participation and permitting while emphasizing that it serves only as a guidance document.

The guidance document is available on the Mifflin County Planning Department’s website.

The commission also reviewed a draft data center ordinance that would apply to Wayne and Bratton townships and the boroughs of Juniata Terrace, Kistler, McVeytown and Newton Hamilton — municipalities governed by the county’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

The proposed ordinance establishes standards for data center development, including requirements for building placement, setbacks, height restrictions, parking, landscaping, lighting, noise, water use, emergency response planning and environmental protections. It would also require applicants to submit studies evaluating potential impacts on water resources, traffic, stormwater, neighboring properties and public services.

Additional provisions address buffer yards, riparian forest protections, utility infrastructure, fire safety standards and decommissioning requirements intended to ensure facilities are properly removed if operations cease. The draft also encourages energy-efficient design and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification while requiring compliance with applicable state and federal environmental regulations.

Commission members granted conditional approval of the ordinance pending revisions recommended by the county solicitor before forwarding it to the Mifflin County commissioners for consideration.

Lettiere said one anticipated revision involves the ordinance’s decommissioning requirements following discussions with a solicitor during a recent planning conference in Harrisburg. He said he would like to schedule a public hearing and further review the language with the county solicitor before moving the ordinance forward.

During public comment, resident Nate Fisher urged the commission to require financial security equal to at least 110% of the estimated decommissioning cost.

“If you don’t, you’re opening our county to be left with a toxic wasteland,” Fisher said.

Lettiere said he was not proposing to eliminate the requirement but wanted the county solicitor’s opinion before making a final recommendation.

The commission also acknowledged receipt of Granville Township’s draft data center ordinance, which was submitted June 12. Under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, the county has 30 days to review and comment before Granville Township conducts its public hearing, currently scheduled for July 15.

Resident Corri Hockenberry asked whether the county intended to complete its review before the 30-day period expired. Lettiere said the commission could act sooner but noted it had not received a request from the township for an expedited review.