Butler Township supervisors table rezoning for Nebius data center's third phase after resident opposition
Residents of Butler Township and Gordon borough urged supervisors to delay rezoning land for the third phase of a Nebius data center campus at the Highridge Industrial Park. Supervisors tabled decisions on zoning amendments and noise level reductions until August 31, planning to add a community benefits agreement clause. Residents expressed concerns about the project's impact, including electricity consumption and noise.
At a public hearing, residents of Butler Township and Gordon borough, Pennsylvania, implored Butler Township supervisors to postpone a decision on rezoning two land parcels for the third phase of a data center campus planned by Nebius. The proposed amendments included rezoning land on Gordon Mountain Road and north of Interstate 81 for data center development, and reducing the maximum noise level for data centers from 75 to 65 decibels. Supervisors, responding to significant resident feedback and opposition, chose to table both ordinance amendments until August 31. They indicated plans to incorporate a requirement for a community benefits agreement and to potentially consider an even lower noise threshold.
The Nebius data center project, which encompasses 600 acres in total, currently has Phases 1 and 2 under development on the east side of Gordon Mountain Road. The third phase, planned for the west side, requires the township's rezoning action. The Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) supports the development and owns the land for Phase 3. Residents, including Gordon Council President Jeffrey Hoffman, voiced strong concerns about the project's impact, particularly on the nearby Gordon borough, where "No Data Center" signs are prevalent. Issues raised included the necessity of rezoning before earlier phases are complete and the potential strain on electricity supply, despite assurances from Nebius that they will fully fund new energy infrastructure and cover power costs.