QTS submits new site, road plans for data center campus in Salem Twp.

Officials representing QTS Salem LLC submitted a revised master site plan for their data center campus in Salem Township, Pennsylvania, to the township planning commission. The new plan reduces the total number of buildings on the 1,800-acre site and repositions others, an adjustment that brought relief to some residents like Lynette Pursel whose property is now farther from the proposed buildings. However, other residents, including Joe Berlanda, expressed strong dissatisfaction, noting that the revised plan does not address their proximity to the data center buildings or the lack of buyout offers for their homes on Market Street. Berlanda highlighted concerns about plummeting property values and the impact of the development, especially given QTS's recent acquisition of 1,700 acres from 97 other property owners for $580 million. David Farhat, director of predevelopment for QTS, declined to comment on the specific criteria for property buyouts but affirmed the company's commitment to being responsible neighbors. Residents also raised environmental concerns, particularly regarding the project's impact on well water. Lizzy Schmoll, project manager with Kimley-Horn, stated the project would not affect groundwater and that the state Department of Environmental Protection would review potential impacts. Farhat clarified that QTS would use public water and sewer lines and not drill wells, with existing environmental laws determining liability for any contamination. Attorney David Tshudy for QTS emphasized that the township's amended zoning ordinance includes specific performance and setback standards that QTS must adhere to, providing protections for residents throughout the five-to-seven-year buildout.