Lower Towamensing Township Group Organizes Opposition to Proposed Data Center
Save Carbon County is organizing residents to oppose and potentially delay a proposed data center development in Lower Towamensing Township. The project would include 13 data center buildings across roughly 700 acres, while DTA Alliance LLC and Murphy's Meadow LLC have filed a challenge seeking a zoning amendment to allow data centers in an overlay district.
Save Carbon County will meet at the Palmerton Area Library to organize volunteers, leafleting and speakers ahead of a Lower Towamensing Township public hearing on a proposed data center development. Organization president Linda Christman said the group wants to delay the process, develop a strong data center ordinance and prepare public testimony, although the meeting itself is not the public hearing.
The proposal calls for 13 data center buildings and a possible power-generation building across about 700 acres near Fireline Road, including the Blue Shamrock Golf Course and property associated with DTA Alliance LLC. Murphy's Meadow LLC, owned by New Jersey-based DT Allen Contracting, is also involved. Residents have raised concerns about water, noise and property values.
DTA Alliance LLC and the property owners filed a curative amendment challenging the township's zoning ordinance, arguing that it does not provide for data center use anywhere in the municipality. The township appointed attorney Graham Simmons III of Norris McLaughlin PA to advise it on the challenge, and a public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27.