S. Annville Twp. residents voice opposition to proposed data center

Residents of South Annville Township, Lebanon County, packed a South Annville Township Planning Commission meeting to unanimously voice opposition to a proposed $1.7 billion data center. The project, spearheaded by 1235 Martina Drive Owner LLC, a joint venture of Inch & Co. and Eastern Land & Resources Co., seeks zoning changes for a 99.3-acre site near U.S. Route 422 and Mount Pleasant Road. Joe Eisenhauer, vice president for development with Inch & Co., presented an overview of the project, attempting to address concerns about electrical needs, water usage, and noise levels. He noted the project's potential $75 million assessed value and proposed annual tax revenue. Residents, however, dominated the public comment session, raising concerns about low-frequency and infrasound noise, its potential health impacts on humans and animals, and its proximity to local schools and Lebanon Valley College. Dr. Thomas Dompier, an injury epidemiologist, cited research linking such noise to sleep disturbances, stress, and cardiovascular risks. Other residents, including Jared Armstrong from Charthouse, highlighted potential decreases in property values and urged municipal officials to conduct a real estate impact study. Adam Penn brought up the area's prevalent sinkholes, expressing worries that the data center's water use and vibrations could exacerbate the issue. Michael Schroeder announced he is organizing an opposition movement. The planning commission chairman, Gordon Sheetz, clarified that the meeting was for information gathering only and that the commission has 45 days to recommend to the township supervisors, who will make the final decision. A public comment period is scheduled for the supervisors' meeting. Sheetz also noted that the land is mostly zoned commercial/industrial and that the township must provide for all uses, suggesting something will eventually be built on the site.