Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania, opposes data center development over zoning issues
Plymouth Township Council is opposing a proposed data center at 900 Conshohocken Road due to its non-compliance with existing zoning regulations. The developer, 900 Conshohocken Road LLC, has submitted multiple proposals, with the latest appearing to challenge the validity of the township's zoning ordinance. Township officials are firmly rejecting the proposal, citing a "temper tantrum" by the applicant.
Officials from the Plymouth Township Council have announced their continued opposition to a proposed data center development situated at 900 Conshohocken Road. The site, formerly home to Cleveland-Cliffs Plate Finishing, is the target of multiple proposals from 900 Conshohocken Road LLC, a company owned by Brian O'Neill.
Council Chair Lynne Viscio stated that the township had previously informed the developer that a data center would not be permitted at the location, as it does not align with the existing zoning classifications for warehouse or distribution centers. Despite this, the applicant submitted an initial proposal, which was later withdrawn before a second proposal was submitted.
The township leadership expressed concerns regarding the proposed use and sought public input on the application. According to officials, the applicant rejected these concerns, leading the township to reaffirm its stance against the project. A third proposal was subsequently submitted by the applicant, which the township interprets as an attempt to challenge the legality of its zoning ordinance. Viscio characterized this action as a "blatant attempt by the applicant to demand approval by throwing a tantrum," emphasizing that the township is not interested in such "theatrics."
The article also contextualizes the local opposition within a broader trend of communities across the country, including those in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, pushing back against new data center developments. Concerns frequently cited include rising electricity costs, strain on electric grids due to the growth of the AI industry, and environmental impact.