Coventry Mall Data Center Plan Withdrawn Amid Zoning Dispute
PGOB Coventry Holdings LLC and PennMark Management Company Inc. withdrew their application to convert the former Coventry Mall in North Coventry Township into an 85,987-square-foot data center. The withdrawal canceled a scheduled zoning hearing after township officials disputed the proposed use and cited deficiencies in the application. Township officials are drafting new data center regulations covering issues including setbacks, noise, cooling systems, groundwater, wastewater and emergency response.
PGOB Coventry Holdings LLC and PennMark Management Company Inc. withdrew an application to develop an 85,987-square-foot data center at the former Coventry Mall, now the Shoppes at Coventry, in North Coventry Township. The withdrawal on Oct. 6 led to the cancellation of an Oct. 22 zoning hearing and ended the immediate review of the proposal.
Township zoning officer Cheryl Franckowiak said the proposed data center did not appear to qualify as a permitted public service utility in the C-1 Commercial District. Township consultant LTL Consultants also identified deficiencies in the concept plan, including missing site and traffic information and required impact studies. The developers have not said whether they will submit a revised application.
The proposal followed an earlier data center concept that North Coventry supervisors rejected in February after resident and official opposition. Township officials are now considering a dedicated data center zoning amendment that would address siting, building dimensions, setbacks, landscaping, noise, cooling systems, groundwater monitoring, backup generators, wastewater and emergency response. The draft regulations would primarily direct future data centers to industrially zoned property rather than the commercial district containing the mall.