Allen Township considering creation of data center overlay district
Allen Township is scheduling a public hearing to consider an ordinance that would establish a data center overlay (DCO) zoning district, restricting data center development to specific parcels and introducing new regulations. Prologis is currently converting a warehouse at 2500 Liberty Drive within this proposed district into a data center, having received prior approval and an NPDES permit for a substation. The township supervisors will hear public comments before deciding on the ordinance.
The Allen Township Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing next month, on August 11, to discuss a proposed ordinance. This ordinance aims to create a designated data center overlay (DCO) zoning district within the township.
If enacted, the DCO district would limit future data center developments to 15 specific parcels, encompassing over 462 acres. These parcels are located within the existing Industrial Commercial (IC) Zoning District along Nor-Bath Boulevard, Liberty Drive, Howertown Road, Horner Road, and Main Street. The proposed district includes land currently owned by Prologis, specifically the 85-acre site at 2500 Liberty Drive, where a 1 million-square-foot warehouse has already received approval for conversion into a data center. Other properties, including two existing Prologis warehouses and quarries owned by Holcim, are also part of the proposed overlay. The ordinance would also introduce new regulations for data centers, covering aspects such as sound, noise, parking, electricity, water, and sewer standards.
Allen Township Manager Ilene Eckhart confirmed that no construction permits have been issued for the data center at 2500 Liberty Drive, but Prologis has obtained an NPDES permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for a separate substation. Prologis stated the project is proceeding as planned, though without a specific timeline. The township supervisors previously approved the warehouse conversion in March.