HB 2516
An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in comprehensive plan, providing for comprehensive plan element for commercial data centers; and, in zoning, providing for zoning, commercial data centers and agricultural land protections and for zoning, commercial data centers, approval procedure and minimum standards.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill amends Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Planning Code to address the development of commercial data centers. It requires municipalities to include commercial data centers as a plan element, establish zoning standards for their location, and protect agricultural land, particularly agricultural security areas and those with conservation easements. The bill also outlines a specific approval procedure with requirements for public notice and information disclosure to ensure transparency and community engagement.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘commercial data center’ based on peak demand (25 megawatts or greater).
- Requires comprehensive plans to include a commercial data center element, designating appropriate areas and avoiding agricultural resources.
- Establishes zoning standards for data centers, including setbacks, buffering, noise mitigation, and water supply considerations.
- Prohibits data centers on agricultural security areas and land with conservation easements.
- Mandates a specific approval process with public notice, a plain-language project summary, and a Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory review.
- Allows municipalities to prohibit data centers if they conflict with community development objectives or negatively impact public infrastructure.
- Specifies minimum setback requirements between data centers and residential areas.
- Requires documentation of adequate water supply and storm water management.
Who is affected
- Municipalities
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Jacob Banta
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