Archbald borough council decides against recusal, listens to final testimony on Wildcat Ridge Data Center

The Archbald Borough council rejected a petition from Cornell Realty Management, the developer of the proposed Wildcat Ridge Data Center, to recuse council members from making a decision on the project. Developer's lawyers argued some council members had expressed opposition. The council members, however, issued affidavits denying bias, emphasizing their commitment to impartiality. With Council President Louis Rapoch absent, six of the seven council members signed these affidavits before the final conditional use hearing.

The ninth and final hearing for the multi-building data center campus, planned for over 500 acres, concluded with closing arguments from both sides and residents. Residents, including Tammy Misewicz-Healey from the "Stop Archbald Data Centers" group, urged the council to deny the conditional use permit, citing concerns about cancer, mental health impacts from noise, strain on electricity and water supplies, and ecosystem degradation. Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan also renewed his opposition to the data center industry, emphasizing the defense of community and natural resources.

Edmund Campbell, the developer's attorney, argued that the project meets the borough's zoning ordinance requirements and urged approval, stating the decision should be based on law, not popularity. Justin Richards, representing opposing residents, countered that Cornell failed to provide sufficient credible evidence and specific details to prove compliance with all zoning criteria, arguing that promises are not enough. The council is scheduled to issue a written decision within 45 days.