Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association submits public request for clarification on Dec. 17 Montour County rezoning hearing process

A small wetland is seen on a parcel of land being considered for rezoning in Montour County near the Montour Preserve.

The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association submitted a public request for better clarification on the definition for the Dec. 17 public hearing/meeting of Talen Energy and the Montour County commissioners in relation to a rezoning request impacting upwards of 1,300 acres from agricultural to industrial use.

​The request came via a letter handed to each of the commissioners during their monthly meeting on Nov. 18, 2025, with a short verbal explanation of what was in the letter, that it would be asking for a true definition of whether this would be a public meeting, a quasi-judicial hearing or some other sort of gathering and how that was defined under the state's Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).

That definition would then, per the MPC, dictate how people can participate in the meeting so that their voices are heard and properly added to the record. It was explained that in the letter, additional concern was shared about the concept of pre-submitted written comments and questions and that the MPC doesn't define these under things like quasi-judicial hearings and there was concern those voices would not be included. 

Commissioner Trevor Finn relayed that they would have the county solicitor send a public response and that they were getting a better understanding, as well, about the type of gathering this needed to be.

Additionally in the meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve a 180-day moratorium on data center applications to allow time for the county data center ordinance and comprehensive plan to be completed as well as other research done. 

A copy of the letter that was submitted during the commissioner meeting:

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