Wildcat Ridge Data Center concludes testimony, turning floor over to residents
The Archbald Borough Council held a heated public hearing for the proposed Wildcat Ridge Data Center, where developer representatives concluded their testimony on traffic and sound impacts. Over 500 residents attended, but no decision was reached, with the next hearing scheduled for July 6 for opponents to present their case. The project, seeking conditional approval for 14 data centers, faces significant community opposition due to concerns over its high water and electricity demands.
A contentious public hearing regarding the proposed Wildcat Ridge Data Center Campus concluded its developer's testimony before the Archbald Borough Council, drawing over 500 residents to the Valley View High School auditorium. The Brooklyn-based Cornell Realty Management LLC is seeking conditional approval for a project encompassing 14 data centers across 574.2 acres, which has ignited strong local opposition.
During the 2½-hour hearing, Wildcat Ridge representatives presented updated sound and traffic studies. Acoustic consultant Caitlin Ormsbee provided certification for sound study equipment, while traffic engineer Frank Tavani argued that an additional 2,000 daily trips on Business Route 6 and Route 247 would not significantly impact congestion, controversially suggesting it could improve public safety. Council members, including Lisa Osborne and Larry Marchetti, challenged Tavani's conclusions, particularly concerning construction traffic and the lack of a detailed security plan for emergency responders, given the site's potential storage of "hundreds of thousands" of lithium-ion batteries.
Attorney Kyle Callejas, representing the Valley View School District, obtained party status to formally challenge the project, citing concerns about school bus safety and traffic impacts on children, which Tavani admitted were not initially considered. Justin Richards, representing residents opposing the data centers, criticized Tavani's testimony as cumulative and confusing. Tamara Misewicz-Healey, co-founder of the "Stop Archbald Data Centers" movement, also expressed dissatisfaction with the developer's clarifications.
The council did not reach a decision and scheduled the next hearing for July 6, where opponents, including Richards, will present their case. The project is one of six proposed data center developments in Archbald, and faces heavy scrutiny over its substantial resource demands, projected at over 3.3 million gallons of water per day and 1.6 gigawatts of electricity, necessitating 588 backup diesel generators. Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and Lackawanna County Controller Gary DiBileo were also in attendance.