June 23, 2026 – Allentown City Council will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 5:45pm to introduce Bill 52, proposing amendments to Section 660-38.H of the City’s Zoning Ordinance governing Data Center Use.
The amendments are the result of internal discussions, reinforced by public comments during recent Council meetings, and are intended to strengthen the regulations adopted through Bill 20, which was approved by Council on June 17, 2026.
The amendments outlined in Bill 52 include:
- Limiting Data Center Use to the Industrial Manufacturing (IM) District only, removing the use from the Industrial General (IG) District
- Increasing the required setback from sensitive receptors to 500 feet
- Adding decommissioning requirements to address the future closure or abandonment of facilities
- Expanding community engagement by requiring additional public notice as part of the approval process
Bill 52 will be introduced during the Special Meeting and will be on the agenda for discussion at the Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting scheduled for 6:00 p.m. that same evening.
Once introduced, Bill 52 will be forwarded to the Allentown City Planning Commission and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for review and recommendation as required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Following that review process, Allentown City Council will hold a public hearing before considering the ordinance for final adoption.
Allentown City Council must also set the record straight regarding Bill 20, as there is much misinformation and misunderstanding.
Prior to Bill 20, data center proposals were reviewed under the City’s existing industrial zoning framework without the specific standards and safeguards which are included in the Bill 20 ordinance. The City’s Zoning Ordinance did not contain any specific regulations governing data centers. Bill 20 did not “authorize” or permit data centers for the first time nor did Bill 20 introduce a new land use into the City’s zoning code. Rather, Bill 20 established specific regulations, safeguards, and review requirements for data centers – a use that had not previously been addressed in the zoning code.
Bill 20 established a Special Exception review process and expanded review to include the Allentown City Planning Commission, the Environmental Advisory Council, public input, and final consideration by the Zoning Hearing Board. Among other provisions, Bill 20 also established requirements related to setbacks, landscaping and buffering, environmental studies, water and sewer usage reporting, energy demand planning, emergency response planning, electronic waste management, pre-and post-construction noise studies and building design standards.
The amendments to the zoning ordinance being reviewed on June 24 are intended to build upon and strengthen the above-listed Bill 20 regulations.
Bill 20 did not approve any specific data center project. The ordinance established zoning regulations applicable to future data center proposals and created a framework for review of such applications. Individual development proposals remain subject to separate review processes and approvals required by law.
The proposed data center application at 2401 Emaus Avenue is not affected by Bill 20, nor will it fall under Bill 52, the new amendments currently under consideration. Regardless of Council’s actions regarding Bill 20, Bill 52, or any future amendments, the 2401 Emaus Avenue application remains subject to review only under Allentown’s prior zoning code that was in place in 2025 when the application was submitted.
Residents are encouraged to attend the Special Meeting and Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting to learn more about Bill 52 and participate in the public process.
Meeting Information
Special Meeting
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
5:45 p.m.
Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Both meetings will be held in City Council Chambers, City Hall, 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA. For meeting agendas and additional information, visit www.allentownpa.gov/citycouncil.
Information provided to TVL by:
Genesis Ortega
