Franklin County Sets Second Hearing Over Data Center Ordinance

The proposed amendment aims to regulate data center development and mitigate potential impacts on the local community.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Franklin County, Pennsylvania is planning to amend its subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO) to add regulations for data center development. The proposed amendment outlines standards and regulations for the construction and operation of data centers, providing safeguards in case any of the 21 out of 22 Franklin County municipalities repeal their own SALDO. The county commissioners have expressed serious concerns about the potential impacts of data centers on the local community and are seeking to put reasonable measures in place to mitigate those effects.

Why it matters

As data centers continue to proliferate across the country, local governments are increasingly looking to regulate their development and operation to address concerns about their impact on the community, including issues related to infrastructure, land use, and environmental sustainability. Franklin County's proposed ordinance is part of a broader trend of municipalities seeking to proactively manage the growth of the data center industry.

The details

The proposed amendment to Franklin County's SALDO would establish standards and regulations for the construction and operation of data centers. While most municipalities in the county have their own SALDO, the county-level ordinance would provide an additional layer of oversight in case any of those local ordinances are repealed. The county commissioners have cited concerns about the potential negative impacts of data centers on the local community, including on residents, businesses, and the agricultural sector.

  • The first public hearing on the proposed amendment was held on April 1, 2026.
  • A second public hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Franklin County Administration Building.

The players

Franklin County Commissioners

The governing body of Franklin County, Pennsylvania that is proposing the amendment to the county's subdivision and land development ordinance to regulate data center development.

Dean Horst

The chairman of the Franklin County Commissioners, who has expressed the county's serious concerns about the potential impacts of data centers on the local community.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We as commissioners have very serious concerns about the impact data centers could have on our communities. The goal of this proposed amendment is to put reasonable measures in place to ensure the impacts of data center development are mitigated and do not create negative impacts for our residents, our businesses and our agricultural community.”

— Dean Horst, Franklin County Commissioners Chairman

What’s next

The Franklin County Commissioners will hold a second public hearing on the proposed data center ordinance amendment on April 28, 2026. After the public hearing, the commissioners will likely vote on whether to approve the amendment.

The takeaway

Franklin County's proposed data center ordinance amendment reflects a growing trend among local governments to proactively regulate the development and operation of data centers in order to mitigate potential negative impacts on the community. As the data center industry continues to expand, more municipalities are likely to follow suit in an effort to balance economic growth with environmental and community concerns.