Aug. 27, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Bethlehem is preparing to vote to on limits for data centers, but democracy requires due process and takes time.
A final vote might not be held until November. Meanwhile, a developer has submitted plans for a 130,000-square-foot data center just off Route 22, at 2184 Industrial Dr. in the Lehigh County portion of Bethlehem. That former Crowder Service center is off the Route 378 exit to Route 22 west.
Getting plans in before a zoning change is not unusual. It happens with warehouses too.
The city needs to add a definition of a data center to its ordinance and apply limits on that use. Here’s a link to the proposed changes for the big-box buildings full of computer servers. Bethlehem is one of many towns in the Lehigh Valley and across the U.S. that are trying to catch up with the development of “hyperscale” data centers.
These huge buildings support Artificial Intelligence, consume lots of electricity and use either more electricity, or lots of water, or both to keep the computers cool.
The developers have the advantage of being private businesses that can act more quickly than government can.
Here’s the potential schedule to consider the zoning amendment based on information from City Council:
There is a review period. That’s going on now.
A public hearing will be held in Town Hall on Oct. 6.
The first reading of the bill, introducing it, is due Oct. 20 at the next Council meeting.
A second reading and potential enactment is expected Nov. 4.
The schedule could change. Council might hold the first reading the day of the public hearing, but that would be unusual. A first reading is often a formality, with discussion focused on the second reading.
The data-center issue has taken the country by storm, but one way or other, they’re coming. As Cathy Fletcher, Bethlehem’s director of planning and zoning, said at a meeting Tuesday, the city has to allow for the use.
The city may impose restrictions but it can’t bar data centers or write a clever ordinance that bars them via backdoor trickery. Try that and some of the biggest companies in the world — Amazon, Google, Microsoft — might go to court.
So for advocates (few) and opponents (many), keep tabs on the meetings. Those who wish to speak, use some common sense and don’t repeat things over and over, don’t feel you have to use the full time allotted, and it’s best not to shout at Council members.
They’re only dealing with what they can, and while it seems late, that’s the case nationally.
Shouting at people rarely makes things better. I know because I’ve tried it many times.
Dates of City Council meetings are posted on the Bethlehem website. Agendas for Council are posted a day or so in advance of meetings.
Disclosure: I own shares in Amazon, Google, Apple and other companies involved with data centers. I bought the shares when the companies were known more for other businesses.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 