A plan to replace a massive Lehigh Valley warehouse with a data center is short on details, review finds

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) Comprehensive Planning Committee recently reviewed a proposal to transform a warehouse at 2500 Liberty Drive in Allen Township, Pennsylvania, into a data center. The early review found the plan to be "short on details," prompting commissioners to draft a letter requesting more information before sending it to the full commission for a vote. Key concerns raised by the LVPC include the plan's lack of specifics on employee numbers and traffic to ensure adequate parking, despite data centers typically employing fewer on-site workers than warehouses. Environmental impact was a significant issue, particularly regarding water demand; developers did not specify the cooling system, making it impossible for the LVPC to assess potential impacts on local water quality and quantity. The commission also noted a lack of details concerning battery energy storage systems, fuel storage, and hazardous materials, requesting further documentation on cooling equipment, generators, sound reduction, lighting, and fence designs. Additionally, LVPC officials expressed concerns about the data center's electrical needs, requesting projected demand at buildout, information on whether the proposed substation would be dedicated to the site, and confirmation of available capacity from the utility provider. Questions were also raised about sewer and water service providers' capacity to handle the increased demand. The committee emphasized the need for local emergency service providers to review the site for safe access and navigation, given the potential dangers associated with electrical systems and fuel. The LVPC ultimately stated it was "unable to fully assess several aspects of the proposal" without the requested details, underscoring the preliminary nature of the review and the need for more comprehensive plans.