Salem Twp. supervisors to hold hearing on 3rd data center zoning

Salem Township supervisors are scheduled to hold a public hearing to consider an ordinance that would significantly expand the existing Special Data Center Overlay district, paving the way for a third data center campus. The proposed expansion covers an additional 4,466 acres and could result in $1.2 billion for affected landowners. This new project would join the existing Amazon Web Services and QTS Salem data center campuses already within the overlay district.

The township planning commission previously voted 2-1 in July to recommend the supervisors approve the amendment. Jack Sordoni of 4-3 Consulting and 4-3 Glennbrook Group, representing the landowners, submitted the application for the "Salem 3 Data Center Campus" in June. Sordoni testified that less than 25% of the acreage would be used for data center structures, with the remainder preserved as green space.

Concerns were raised by alternate commissioner Scott Bellum, who voted against the recommendation, noting that the expanded overlay district would comprise 40% to 50% of the township's total acreage. However, Chairman Paul Hess and commissioner John Fogg supported the recommendation with conditions, including a 1,000-foot buffer zone from Bowers Road and a maximum building height of 65 feet. The public hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Berwick Assembly of God Church, and supervisors are expected to vote on the amendment at a special meeting immediately following the hearing. The planning commission meeting saw mixed public comments, with landowners in favor wearing "Overlay Amendment Yes!" shirts.