New Castle approves data center zoning amendments as Frackville residents rally

ARNOTS ADDITION – Before a standing-room only crowd of mostly Frackville residents, New Castle Township voted to approve zoning amendments regulating data centers.

Among the changes, proposed amid a 180-day moratorium on data center development, is the addition of a new Highway Industrial zoning district along Interstate 81 near Frackville where data centers would be permitted as a conditional use, which Attorney Donald Karpowich says would require a hearing before the supervisors. Karpowich drafted the amendments.

The zone is about 3.5 miles from the nearest New Castle Township home but, quite literally, abuts the backyards of Frackville and Butler Township homes and the Broad Mountain Health and Rehabilitation Center.

The zone covers a largely wooded area surrounding the Mount Laurel Reservoir on either side of Interstate 81, roughly surrounding the intersection of multiple PPL Electric Utilities pole lines.

It was formerly Conservation and much of the remaining woodlands in the township from there south remains zoned as such, including the Kaufman Reservoir south of the former mall.

The mall property itself remains a Special Business zoning district and the Schuylkill Technology Center – North Campus remains in a residential suburban district.

In addition to making data centers a conditional use, the ordinance amendments add numerous regulations for data center development, including 200 foot setbacks and woodland disturbance, lighting, sewer, emergency response plans, and more.

It would also require numerous studies to be done before such a development is approved.

Supervisors voted 2-0 to approve the ordinance amendments. One supervisor abstained.

“We’re giving you a fair fight,” Karpowich said.

Frackville, Walnick Manor residents rally against data centers

While no proposal is formally before New Castle Township, a data center developer — KRNL Data Centers — purchased a piece of land behind the Schuylkill Technology Center – North Campus and Broad Mountain for $600,000. Preliminary plans for a data center on that parcel were first reported by Coal Region Canary last year.

A collection of Frackville and Walnick Manor residents, led by Ryan Twardzik, son of State Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-123) have since been rallying to oppose the complex and West Mahanoy Township and Frackville Borough both sent letters to New Castle Township opposing the development. New Castle Township Solicitor James Conville said they received close to 100 letters on the subject.

“You make this decision, you don’t live beside it,”

Bobbie Cicioni

Several dozen of those residents packed the garage at the New Castle Township municipal building in Arnots Addition, some standing outside in the sun. Many of those in attendance lamented that the development hinges on officials and residents in a township that stands to avoid any adverse impacts.

“You make this decision, you don’t live beside it,” Bobbie Cicioni said. “Imagine if you did.”

“Frackville will not be Frackville anymore if that build this data center,” Bernie Karpovich said. “I will be facing this data center every time I look out the window or sit on my front porch.”

Ryan Twardzik questioned numerous regulations included in the ordinance, such as an apparent doubling of the permitted height of a building specific to the Highway Industrial zone. He also sought a 1,000-foot setback instead of a 200-foot setback.

Tim Twardzik echoed the opposition of neighboring communities.

“Yes, we need some, but we don’t need one on every street corner, and not every one should be built in a neighborhood,” he said.

Why rezone north of Interstate 81?

John Gower questioned why the area north of Interstate 81 needed to be rezoned to Highway Industrial. The parcel is the one owned by KRNL.

“Why can’t that piece north of 81 stay Conservation,” Gower asked, receiving applause from the crowd.

Aside from the Schuylkill Technology Center campus and the recently-expanded PPL substation, the area southwest of Frackville proper is residential or woodlands.

Karpowich asked for clarification on what the Interstate bisects, but supervisors did not respond to the question otherwise.

Twardzik also questioned why the data center zone had to be in the northern portion of the township when an industrial zone that already exists northeast of Heckscherville and is likely suitable as state zoning law requires all potential uses to be covered in a zoning ordinance.

‘This is necessary.’

Conville said that the ordinance is “necessary” as, without it, “it comes in with zero restrictions.”

“You may call it a necessary evil, but it has to be done,” Conville added. “If we don’t do something and we don’t do it very quickly, they come in with no restrictions.”

Karpowich also said that, if an ordinance is written in a way that is too restrictive, it can be challenged in court and the entire challenged aspect can be thrown out. For example, if an ordinance requires a 1,000 foot setback and the court rules in a developer’s favor, “they have no setback.”

He said it is a “balancing act.”

Conville said additional amendments and restrictions can be made or added later.

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