Data center developers appeal denial to build on grounds of former Pennhurst Hospital
Penn Hurst Holdings DE LLC has appealed the East Vincent Township Board of Supervisors' denial of its conditional use application for a 1.9-million-square-foot data center. The developer argues the township's zoning code contains contradictions, while a local advocacy group plans to intervene to defend the township's decision. Separately, a state bill to allow municipalities to enact temporary moratoriums on data center applications has passed the House.
Penn Hurst Holdings DE LLC has appealed the East Vincent Township Board of Supervisors' denial of its conditional use application to build a 1.9-million-square-foot data center on 123 acres, the former Pennhurst Hospital grounds.
The township's denial, issued on May 21 and filed on June 2, was based on its interpretation of "threshold legal issues" related to conflicts within the Industrial Mixed Use (IMU) zoning district's provisions concerning planned commercial developments and the transfer of development rights. Developers argue that the zoning code's contradictions make compliance impossible and should be resolved in favor of the developer for the least restrictive use.
East Vincent Township Manager Robert Zienkowski stated the township anticipated the appeal and vowed to "be extremely aggressive in defending the decision to protect the residents of our community and the precious environmental resources." The case will be heard in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas, though no date has been set. East Vincent Advocacy, a citizens group, intends to seek intervenor status, with its attorney, Carl Ewald, participating to represent community interests.
In broader context, several townships in Southeast Pennsylvania, including Upper Pottsgrove, North Coventry, New Hanover, and Lower Pottsgrove, are working on data center-specific zoning ordinances addressing concerns like water use, power consumption, and sound generation. Furthermore, a bill sponsored by state Rep. Paul Friel (D-23rd Dist.) that would empower municipalities to enact six-month pauses on data center applications to update zoning regulations passed the state House by a 201-1 vote and awaits action in the state Senate.