King of Prussia firm submits new Plymouth Township data center proposal

MLP Ventures, a King of Prussia developer, has submitted a new application to the Plymouth Township Zoning Hearing Board for a 1.65 million-square-foot data center on a 66-acre property at 900 Conshohocken Road. This follows the withdrawal of a previous proposal by Brian O'Neill, also associated with MLP Ventures, which faced significant community opposition due to concerns about proximity to homes and environmental impacts. The new application, dated April 19, seeks zoning relief for the site, which is currently zoned for heavy industrial use. Residents, including Patti Smith, argue the project conflicts with the township's strategic plan and should not be adjacent to high-density residential areas. Petitions, one calling for a data center moratorium in Plymouth Township, have garnered over 1,200 signatures, urging the township to either enact a moratorium or create protective ordinances. A special zoning hearing board meeting will be scheduled and publicly advertised to address the proposal, allowing residents to provide testimony. Plymouth Township officials emphasize a commitment to a transparent and fair process, acknowledging the project's potential impact on residents. The article also notes a broader regional tension surrounding data center proposals, citing similar controversies and increased security at hearings in Limerick and East Vincent townships.