North Strabane delays data center ordinance hearing
North Strabane Township last week canceled a scheduled hearing to review a proposed ordinance regulating data centers, citing a need for further review.
Township Manager Patrick Karnash said he recommended the board of suervisors cancel the meeting, which was originally set for Nov. 24, so the planning commission can assess the draft text further.
Karnash said planning commission review is an “important step” in the adoption of any ordinance, especially one as impactful as this.
The proposed ordinance will implement a broad range of new regulations on data center development in North Strabane, including property line setbacks and other zoning specifics.
Municipal governments across Washington County have rushed to adopt similar data center ordinances after a large parcel of land in South Strabane was listed for sale in late 2025 as prime location for a potential data center.
According to Karnash, the North Strabane ordinance is “nearing completion,” and should be ready for public review sometime during the first quarter of 2027.
The planning commission must review the draft text before it is presented to the supervisors for their review and potential adoption.
This multi-step review process ensures that any ordinance adopted by the township is thorough and complete, he said.