Columbia Borough unanimously votes against bid for former McGinness Airport site
The Columbia Borough Council unanimously voted against a $6.35 million bid from Saadia Holdings LLC for the former McGinness Airport property, a site residents feared could be used for a data center. Hundreds of residents attended the meeting, expressing strong opposition to potential data center development and demanding transparency from the council. While a proposed amendment for additional data center restrictions was tabled, the vote against the property sale marked a win for local opposition.
The Columbia Borough Council in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, unanimously rejected a $6.35 million bid from Saadia Holdings LLC for the former McGinness Airport property. The vote came after a packed public meeting where hundreds of residents voiced strong opposition to the potential sale, largely due to concerns that the 41-acre site could eventually be developed into a data center.
Residents, including Taylor Enterline of Lancaster Stands Up, criticized the council for a lack of transparency and for nearly limiting attendance due to fire code regulations, despite the meeting being moved to a larger venue. The debate also centered on proposed changes to the borough's data center zoning regulations. Borough Solicitor Evan Gabel noted that existing zoning, amended in 2025, already allows data centers by right, meaning projects could proceed without additional public hearings. However, he emphasized the need for proper regulations.
Despite intense public interest and a petition with nearly 1,500 signatures opposing data center projects, the council tabled a proposed amendment that would impose additional restrictions on data centers. Officials stated that a draft ordinance was not ready for a vote. Some residents also questioned the borough's ownership of the property, citing potential conflicts of interest given its role in zoning decisions. Residents urged the council to reopen the bidding process for the former airport property.