Middlesex Township data center vote postponed due to overcrowding
A Middlesex Township Board of Supervisors meeting to vote on a large data center proposal was canceled due to overcrowding and a fire hazard caused by over 150 attendees. The decision has been postponed until August 19th, with strong local opposition against the 16 hyperscale data center project known as 'Bettex One'. Residents are concerned about noise and the process, as some construction has already begun despite no final plan approvals.
Middlesex Township officials were forced to postpone a potential vote on a major data center proposal after an overwhelming crowd of more than 150 people showed up, exceeding the capacity of the township building. The meeting, which was set to consider 'Bettex One' – a project by Powerhouse Data Centers slated to be the largest data center on the East Coast – was halted just 15 minutes in due to a fire hazard and concerns about public access.
CBS 21's Alex Thill reported from the scene, noting the unity felt among residents from various counties who oppose the development. The project involves 16 hyperscale data centers on a 700-acre farmland near the Conodoguinet Creek. Residents like one father of four expressed concerns, particularly about the low-frequency noise these facilities produce. Opposition also centers on the process, as the township changed zoning a year ago, and preliminary construction, including blasting and earthmoving, has already commenced without final approvals for the data center buildings themselves.
The Board of Supervisors rescheduled the meeting to August 19th, with the new location to be either the middle or elementary school in the township, accommodating larger attendance. Opponents view the postponement as a 'wake up call' to the board, signaling significant community concern over the project's impact on their rural area.