Plans for 2nd Allentown data center proposal revealed. It would be next to a school and a major attraction
Allentown, PA, is considering two new data center proposals, both of which face significant challenges. Developer J.G. Petrucci's project, potentially using 100,000 gallons of water daily, is subject to a legal dispute regarding which of the city's recently approved, stricter zoning ordinances applies to its application. Meanwhile, a second proposal by Quantm LLC has garnered fierce community opposition and a petition with over 4,900 signatures.
Allentown, Pennsylvania, is currently evaluating two separate data center proposals, both attracting scrutiny and facing hurdles. The first project, proposed by J.G. Petrucci, seeks to construct a 146,000-square-foot data center at 1024 N. Bradford St. on the city's East Side, near Coca-Cola Park and the Executive Education Academy Charter School. This facility could consume between 50,000 to 100,000 gallons of water daily, though the Lehigh County Authority confirmed its system has the capacity to meet this demand. Developers also plan to build an electrical substation for the estimated 100-megawatt facility.
The application, submitted on August 5, coincides with the Allentown City Council's approval of stricter zoning requirements for data centers. Earlier in June, the city passed an ordinance allowing data centers in two industrial zones via special exception permits and requiring impact studies on noise, water, electricity, and environment. On August 5, amendments were introduced and approved that further tightened these rules, increasing setback requirements from homes and schools to at least 500 feet and reducing eligible zoning districts to one. J.G. Petrucci's lawyers are arguing that the new, updated ordinance should not apply to their application and that the city lacks the authority to deem their submission incomplete for not including required reports.
A second data center proposal, from Quantm LLC, involves a 224,000-square-foot facility and an electrical substation at 2401 W. Emmaus Ave. in south Allentown, adjacent to residential areas, businesses, and a nonprofit for ill children. This project has met with significant community opposition, including an online petition that has gathered over 4,900 signatures. Frank Kane, managing director for Allentown, stated that the city is reviewing Quantm LLC's application for completeness and accuracy before it proceeds to the planning and zoning staff for assessment. The city is also consulting with its lawyers to determine which version of the zoning ordinance applies to the new applications.