South Annville supervisors hear from residents regarding proposed data center

South Annville Township residents overwhelmingly voiced their opposition to a proposed $1.7 billion data center at a recent meeting held at Annville-Cleona Secondary School. The development, proposed by 1235 Martina Drive Owner LLC, a joint venture of Inch & Co. and Eastern Land & Resources Co., seeks to rezone about 58 acres across four parcels totaling 99 acres to industrial (I-1) zoning. Project developer Joe Eisenhauer, vice president for development with Inch & Co., and land-use attorney Jonathan Andrews presented the plans, which include five 150,000-square-foot data center buildings. Residents, including Michael Schroeder, who is organizing an email list for opponents, and Denise Smith, raised concerns about environmental impacts, specifically regarding water and electricity usage, potential health effects, utility rates, property values, and overall quality of life. Attendees questioned the developer's information and urged the South Annville Township supervisors to conduct independent research on data center implications. Residents also suggested alternative uses for the site and amendments to the township's zoning ordinance, such as increased setbacks, to complicate the project's progression. The Annville Township Authority's nearby sewage treatment facility was noted as a potential source of effluent water for the data center's cooling systems. The township planning commission met on April 7 for a public information session and has 45 days to provide a recommendation to the supervisors, who hold the final decision on the zoning petition. The developer has not indicated whether the project would proceed if the zoning changes are denied. The next supervisors' meeting is scheduled for May 13.