Archbald Borough is a community of 7500 in northeastern Pennsylvania. With several high-voltage transmission lines passing through it, Archbald attracted companies wishing to develop data centers. The Borough Council moved to adopt a zoning amendment based on the PennFuture model data center ordinance. While the amendment would have imposed several worthwhile restrictions on data centers, it would have also opened up large areas for data center development. CEDS provided recommendations for strengthening measures to prevent data center impacts. Alarmed by the massive amount of data center development that would have been allowed by the zoning amendment, several very gifted Archbald resident leaders mobilized a large percentage of Borough residents in opposition. This effort succeeded when a motion to approve the zoning amendment died in the Borough Council due to lack of a second. Now the leaders are seeking to convince the Borough Council to adopt a zoning amendment that guides a smaller number of data centers to industrial sites away from homes along with a number of restrictions that would prevent noise, air pollution, water, and property value impacts. Two data centers had already been proposed, which would not have been affected by the zoning amendment. Once plans are submitted projects become exempt (vested-grandfathered) from certain aspects of new laws. In the meantime, a third data center has been proposed for a site in Archbald.

For further detail on how CEDS can help visit the How to Protect Your Home from Data Center Impacts webpage or contact us at 410-654-3021 or help@ceds.org.