Planning Commission considers how — and if — data centers should be built in Philly
The Philadelphia Planning Commission held an informational meeting about data centers, sparking strong opposition from community groups concerned about energy, water, and health impacts. While no specific projects are proposed, the city is preparing for future development by considering new zoning regulations and a potential moratorium. Two possible sites were identified for large data centers, drawing further protests.
The Philadelphia Planning Commission recently held an information-only presentation regarding data center development in the city, which was met with fierce opposition from over a dozen community groups and activists. Opponents expressed concerns about the energy-intensive nature of data centers, their high water consumption, potential health effects, and the reliance on fossil fuels for power, leading to calls for a moratorium similar to one enacted in New York State.
City planners, including Amy Boyd and Director Octavia Howell, emphasized that the presentation was proactive, aiming to prepare the city for future data center proposals rather than reacting to an existing one. The commission presented research on data center impacts, current zoning laws, and identified two potential sites suitable for large-scale data centers: the former Bellwether District refinery site and a city-owned property at 2600 Grant Ave. The mention of publicly owned land for data centers drew additional protests from citizens.
While Philadelphia already hosts eight smaller, older data centers, the report highlighted that current zoning lacks specific regulations for these facilities. Staff suggested creating a new zoning category for data centers. The article notes that discussions about a potential moratorium have occurred in City Council, and two nonbinding resolutions related to data centers and rising energy costs have been passed, but no definitive action has been taken yet.