South Strabane Delays Data Center Recommendation

March 7, 2026 3:50 am

The South Strabane Township Planning Commission has once again opted not to take action on recommending a zoning ordinance to township supervisors that would regulate data centers in the township. At a meeting Thursday night, solicitor Dennis Makel indicated that members wanted to take a more thorough look at the ordianance and consider community feedback. He said the ordinance also contained spelling errors. Township supervisors initially wanted to hold a public hearing on the ordinance on March 19, but that will not take place. A March 31 date is available if a meeting venue can be secured. According to the Observer-Reporter, one change in the ordinance expanded the building setbacks from residential properties from 850 feet to 1000 feet. An attorney representing CNX, who owns a 1400 acre tract of land on Zediker Station Road, being marketed as a data center site, sent a letter to the township calling the ordinance exclusionary. He cited the setback requirements, building size restrictions and power and water declarations as irrational and discriminatory. The ordinance may be viewed on the South Strabane Township website.