Data center comments dominate Plymouth Township zoning meeting
A Plymouth Township Zoning Hearing Board meeting was dominated by residents' attempts to comment on a proposed data center project, despite the item not being on the agenda. A previously scheduled hearing for zoning relief was canceled due to an "administrative oversight," fueling public frustration. Residents are actively opposing the project due to environmental, health, and nuisance concerns.
A recent Plymouth Township Zoning Hearing Board meeting in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, saw significant public tension as residents attempted to voice their opposition to a proposed data center project at 900 Conshohocken Road. The meeting, chaired by Brian Daly, followed the cancellation of a crucial zoning relief hearing just days prior due to an "administrative oversight" regarding proper advertising. This cancellation exacerbated public frustration, as the data center project was not on the Sept. 21 agenda, limiting public comment solely to agenda items.
Resident Nick Liermann challenged the board's decision, accusing them of stifling public discourse on a major development. He argued that residents deserved an opportunity to express their concerns, especially given the scale and potential impact of the project, which he described as "probably the biggest, most complicated project that has ever been proposed for Plymouth Township." Board Chair Brian Daly and solicitor Jim Gallagher maintained that public comment would only be allowed for specific agenda items and at the "proper time" in the hearing process for the data center application.
The proposed data center is being developed by MLP Ventures, with Brian O'Neill initially submitting plans last year. Efforts faced initial setbacks with denials for zoning relief, but the project was revived as O'Neill continued to seek relief to transform 10 steel mill buildings into a data center, complete with ancillary standby generators and gas turbines.
Local residents have organized significant opposition, forming "The No Conshy Data Centers" Facebook page with over 1,400 followers and a Change.org petition with 552 signatures. They cite a range of concerns, including environmental impacts, health issues, and potential nuisances. The next session for the data center application is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Plymouth Township Municipal Building.