Granville receives data center proposal Residents urge supervisors to oppose project

Granville Township officials recently received a proposed data center land development plan, which led to an emergency supervisors meeting. During the meeting, approximately 100 residents from Mifflin County and surrounding communities urged township officials to oppose the project. Pennsylvania Green Party gubernatorial candidate Tony Dastra was among the speakers, calling for Granville to be the first Pennsylvania municipality to oppose large-scale data center development.

Supervisors Joseph Fiore and Terry Stewart indicated they had considered pursuing a curative amendment, a process requested by residents, but instead followed Township Solicitor Fred Lighty's recommendation to continue developing a new zoning ordinance for data centers. Lighty noted that a curative amendment might not be the best course of action. The proposed ordinance aims to impose significantly more stringent regulations on future data center developments.

Public comments focused on the township's handling of the proposal and the application's timing. Residents Nate Fisher and Cori Hockenberry expressed disappointment, with Fisher alleging "backhanded deals" and Hockenberry questioning a "gentleman's agreement" with the developer to delay the application. Lighty speculated the developer submitted plans early to avoid the new ordinance. The proposal involves two properties, one owned by Kevin and Lisa Oberholtzer near Walmart, and another at 841 Loop Road, Lewistown, owned by Mark Ellinger and Nancy Collins.

Lighty clarified that the new, stricter ordinance, expected to be discussed at an upcoming town hall, would not apply to the current application because it was submitted beforehand. However, he expressed hope the developer would voluntarily comply with its proposed standards. Fisher emphasized that the submitted plan is only a proposal and still requires multiple review and approval steps.