Salem Township Supervisors Approve Master Plan and Partial Street Vacation for Data Center
Salem Township supervisors in Pennsylvania approved QTS Data Centers' master plan and land consolidation for a new data center campus. They also approved vacating parts of two streets but tabled a proposed moratorium on future data centers and deferred action on a third street due to resident concerns about water runoff and access.
Salem Township supervisors have unanimously approved two key requests from QTS Data Centers, facilitating the development of a new data center campus. Supervisors John Fogg, Steven Fraind, and chairman Richard Talanca sanctioned the consolidation of dozens of land parcels, acquired by QTS for approximately $580 million in May, into a single site. Additionally, a master plan for the data center campus was approved.
Following a 75-minute public hearing, the supervisors also approved the vacating and turnover of parts of Kiliti Road and Moskaluk Road to become part of the data center campus. However, the request to vacate most of Market Street was not fully approved. Supervisor Fogg echoed concerns from residents regarding potential water runoff issues from Cemetery Street, which could impact current Market Street residents during and after construction.
Residents Terri Barren and Dave Stoker, among others, voiced worries about flooding and access, stating they had not received acceptable buyout offers from QTS. QTS Director of Development David Farhat indicated that addressing the stormwater plans for Market Street could take six to nine months before full acquisition. The supervisors also tabled a proposed moratorium on future data center projects, pending further review. Township police and fire officials previously noted that the new road plan would enhance emergency response times.