Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
On October 6, 2026, the Bethlehem City Council held a public hearing and regular meeting primarily focused on a proposed zoning text amendment to regulate data centers in the city. After extensive public comment and council discussion, the ordinance was passed unanimously (7-0) on first reading. The council also approved several routine items including budget adjustments, grant applications, and a liquor license transfer.
The council conducted a public hearing to accept comments on a proposed ordinance to add definitions, special exception requirements, dimensional standards, and study requirements for data centers in the industrial zoning district. Planning Director Kathy Fletcher presented the amendment, noting it was recommended 4-0 by the Planning Commission on August 25, 2026, and supported by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) as a thoughtful response to a complex land use. The administration emphasized state law prevents banning data centers outright, and this ordinance represents the farthest legal reach under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Key provisions include: requiring an environmental impact assessment, water/sewer approvals, energy management plan, emergency response plan, thermal impact mitigation, increased setbacks (up to 1,000 feet near residential or sensitive receptors), and reduced building coverage for larger facilities. Data centers would be a special exception, requiring Zoning Hearing Board approval and additional public comment.
Councilmembers asked about enforcement, monitoring, and the limits of zoning authority. Councilman Callahan expressed opposition to data centers but supported the ordinance as the best legal option. Councilwoman Daniels raised concerns about the lack of quantitative standards for water, energy, decommissioning, and environmental impacts, arguing the ordinance gives too much leeway to developers and needs strengthening. Councilwoman Leon and others stressed that voting against the ordinance would leave data centers unregulated, and that passing it now allows for future amendments. Councilman Laird confirmed that a no vote would maintain current unregulated status, while a yes vote imposes restrictions. The city solicitor noted that fines can reach $500/day, and injunctions are possible for violations. Councilwoman Quetek clarified the building coverage calculation ensures larger buildings require proportionally larger lots.
Approximately 20 members of the public spoke, almost all urging the council to pass the ordinance as a starting point while calling for stronger future regulations. Key suggestions included requiring independent third-party studies, closed-loop water systems, developer-paid grid upgrades, higher fines, escrow accounts for decommissioning, annual public reporting, and aligning with Governor Shapiro's executive order on data centers. Several speakers highlighted noise, vibration, thermal pollution, chemical contamination (PFAS), and impacts on wildlife. One speaker proposed declaring the current zoning invalid (curative amendment) to gain a 180-day moratorium, but another noted that could delay regulations for months. Many thanked the council for their work and urged continued vigilance.
The data center ordinance will have a second reading and potential final vote at a future meeting (likely in November 2026). The specific data center proposal at 2184 Industrial Drive will be heard by the Planning Commission on November 12, 2026. Council and the public expressed intent to continue strengthening the ordinance as more information becomes available and state law evolves.
All right, good evening, everyone. Uh, we're gonna start this uh meeting this evening. I ask that we all rise for the pledge to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. The clerk will call the roll. Mr. Raymond. Present. Mr. Callahan, present. Mr. Pologne. Present. Ms. Daniel. Present. Ms. Tech. Present. Ms. Laird. Present. And Ms. Leon. Presente. Right. This is a bit of an anomalous meeting for us this evening. So I have a couple announcements to make before we really dive into it. First and foremost, uh, starting the public hearing. Prior to the consideration of the regular agenda items, City Council will conduct a public hearing to accept public comment concerning proposed ordinance amendments to Part 13 titled zoning ordinance to add the definition for a data center use to provide for approval of the data centers by special exception to modify the zoning districts in which a data center is permitted, to add dimensional requirements for the location of the data centers, to require the submission of certain studies as a condition of approving a data center use and repealing any inconsistent ordinances. In connection with the public hearing, there are two communications. The clerk will read communication 6A. The September 28th, 2026 memorandum from Kathy Fletcher, Director of Planning and Zoning, recommending approval of a zoning text amendment involving data centers. City's Planning Commission voted four to zero on August 25th, 2026 to recommend these proposed changes to the city's zoning ordinance. Communication 6B. The September 17th, 2026 correspondence of Jill Sites, Chief Community and Regional Planner of Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Letter addresses areas such as land use and review process, utilities and infrastructure, environmental impact, setbacks, noise, emergency preparedness, decommissioning, and electronic waste. Conclusion from the review is these amendments represent quote, a thoughtful and intentional response to a complex land use unquote, and that they align with the LVPC's goals and guidelines. Thank you. Before I hit the gavel to start the meeting, I know that this is probably a lot of people's first public meeting, especially regarding a data center, as we have not had a lot of meetings regarding that in the city of Bethlehem. Um, so if you are unaware of the oh, I see so many familiar faces. Um if you're unaware of the kind of the lay of it, uh council will have uh time to weigh in on this. The administration will make a presentation, um, council will have the time to ask questions, and then we will move on to public comment in which you can all engage in the public comment section.