City Council Special Meeting - June 24, 2026

The City Council of Lancaster, PA held a special meeting on June 24, 2026, focused primarily on a proposed zoning ordinance amendment to regulate data centers within the city. The ordinance aimed to define data centers as a distinct land use, restrict their location to the suburban manufacturing zone, and establish performance standards including noise limits, fencing, landscaping, and decommissioning plans. The council discussed the merits of using a special exception process via the zoning hearing board versus a conditional use process handled by the council itself. Public testimony revealed significant community concerns about noise, environmental impacts, water usage, and the adequacy of enforcement mechanisms. Several speakers urged stronger regulations or a moratorium on new data centers. The council debated clarifications to grandfathering clauses for two existing data centers and the legal defensibility of the ordinance. Ultimately, a motion to table the ordinance for further clarification passed, delaying final approval to a future meeting.