ARCHBALD, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Some Lackawanna County residents are taking their fight to another level to prevent data centers from locating near their homes. One resident started a petition on Sunday afternoon to give to their council, and many others showed up to sign it.
More than three dozen people showed up to David P. Masylar Memorial Park here in Archbald on Sunday afternoon to show their support of adding to the proposal that failed at Friday's meeting.
Justin Healey set up shop Sunday afternoon at David P. Maslyar Memorial Park, looking for people to sign a petition.
"This new introduction of the ordinance amendment is going to address those loopholes in addition to the technical requirements," Healey explained.
The petition calls on Archbald Council to introduce a new amendment to the borough's zoning ordinance for data centers.
While some people knew about the petition signing in advance, others found out as they were walking past. Larry West was one of them who signed his name to strengthen data center development restrictions.
"I started reading up on it, I said, 'you know, nobody's giving us all the answers. We need answers, and we're not getting them," West told 28/22 News.
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West has been very involved in meetings centered on the future of data centers in the borough.
"I think these people thought they were just going to come in here, bully everybody, and just put up their buildings and do what they want to do, and I'm glad the people responded by saying no," West said.
"We will continue to fight for our homes, our land, our children, and our collective health, safety, and welfare," Geralyn Esposito from Archbald stated.
About 100 concerned residents turned out at Archbald Council's special meeting Friday night. The crowd made its voice heard that the ordinance needs to be tougher.
"Many of them are aware of everything that's been going on. Some of them have, either themselves or have family members that have been involved in some of these meetings up until now, and when we explain what this is doing, they are 100% on board," Healey said.
West finds the community response to be inspiring as they focus on changing the overlay zones and the number of districts that data centers are allowed in.
"I think the people voiced their opinion the other night, and anything to help this progress for the people, for the benefit of the people, is going to be a blessing in disguise, I think," West stated.
The petition will officially be submitted to Archbald Council on Monday, before Wednesday's scheduled work session, so they can continue the work they are doing.
"For a lot of people that may not really have too much intimate knowledge as to exactly the gravity of what we're looking at with these data centers, I would hope that this shows how much people do care," Healey stated.
28/22 News spoke with many other residents as well who said they intend to stay involved in this conversation for as long as it takes.
