Managing Large-Scale Development & Data Centers:
A Municipal Approach
Municipalities across Pennsylvania are seeing increased interest in large-scale development, particularly data centers. These projects create economic opportunities but also introduce complex challenges related to zoning, infrastructure capacity, and public safety. Many municipalities are evaluating whether their current ordinances and review processes are equipped to manage these high-impact uses.
Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. (Isett) supports municipalities as an independent technical resource throughout planning, review, and construction. Our role is not to advocate for or against development, but to help local leaders understand what is permitted, identify gaps, and establish clear, defensible frameworks aligned with community goals and Pennsylvania land use law. As a multi-discipline engineering and consulting firm, Isett brings together in-house planning, engineering, and code expertise to address complex municipal challenges with a single, coordinated team.
Addressing Zoning and Ordinance Gaps
Large-scale developments often expose limitations in existing zoning ordinances. In some cases, they may fit within current industrial districts. In others, municipalities need to evaluate where and how these uses should be permitted.
Communities should assess whether their ordinances clearly address building scale, infrastructure demand, energy use, and operational impacts so regulations remain enforceable and defensible.
How Isett Supports Municipalities
- Evaluate ordinance gaps tied to large-scale uses
- Recommend zoning approaches (permitted, conditional, or special exception)
- Draft clear, enforceable language aligned with PA law
Regional Planning and Coordination
These projects often extend beyond municipal boundaries. A coordinated, multi-municipal approach helps determine where high-impact uses are most appropriate, how infrastructure demands are shared, and how inconsistent zoning decisions are avoided.
This supports balanced growth while aligning with regional and state planning goals.
How Isett Supports Municipalities
- Facilitate coordination across municipalities and planning partners
- Evaluate shared infrastructure and service impacts
- Align land use decisions with regional planning goals
Managing Complex Review and Construction
Oversight of large-scale projects requires coordination across zoning, PA Uniform Construction Code (PA UCC), and Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing & Fire Protection (MEP/FP) systems. These projects often involve phased construction, extended timelines, and ongoing municipal involvement.
How Isett Supports Municipalities
- Perform technical review of development plans and submissions
- Identify risks and approval challenges early
- Coordinate with staff, boards, and project teams
Infrastructure and Public Safety Considerations
Data centers and similar facilities place significant demands on local infrastructure. Key considerations include water capacity, emergency response, site access, and power reliability.
Early planning helps avoid downstream challenges during design and construction.
How Isett Supports Municipalities
- Review utilities, stormwater, and infrastructure capacity
- PA UCC plan review and inspection services
- Support emergency access and public safety planning
- Traffic impacts and site access for construction and operations
- Compatibility with surrounding land uses
Case Example: Salem Township, Luzerne County
Salem Township has evaluated how to address large-scale development within its existing zoning framework. As municipal engineer and a third-party provider of PA UCC inspection and plan review services, Isett supports the Township by reviewing development proposals, identifying ordinance gaps, and guiding projects in alignment with community priorities.
This proactive approach positions the Township to evaluate large-scale proposals with clarity, maintain control over land use decisions, and address ordinance gaps before issues arise during review.
Supporting Balanced Growth
Effective municipal planning is not about allowing or preventing development. It is about giving communities the structure to guide growth on their terms. With the right approach, municipalities can maintain control over land use decisions, protect infrastructure and public safety, and support economic development where it aligns with community priorities. Isett provides technical support from ordinance review through construction to help make that possible.
- Planning and ordinance development
- Land development review and technical evaluation
- PA UCC plan review, inspections, and construction oversight
- Supplemental support as a specialized municipal partner
Contact the Isett team or fill out the form below to discuss ordinance review, data center considerations, or technical support for large-scale development.