Allentown planning commission to review vacant warehouse conversion plans for data center
The Allentown Planning Commission is set to review a proposal to convert an existing 224,000 square-foot vacant warehouse into a data center, with an additional 23,000 square-foot expansion. While residents have expressed concerns, Mayor Matt Tuerk clarified that the commission must review the application based on current city regulations. A decision on the proposal is not expected at the upcoming meeting.
The Allentown Planning Commission will convene to consider plans for converting a vacant 224,000 square-foot warehouse at 2401 W. Emaus Ave. into a data center, which also includes a proposed 23,000 square-foot addition. The applicant for this project is Quantm Group LLC.
Residents have voiced concerns regarding the proposal, and members of the community are expected to speak at the upcoming meeting. However, Mayor Matt Tuerk emphasized that the planning commission is legally obligated to review the application against the existing state code and city regulations.
The commission is also discussing potential changes to the city's data center ordinance, but these changes will not apply to Quantm Group's current request as it was submitted prior to the proposed amendments. Mayor Tuerk indicated that a decision on the conversion plan is unlikely to be made at Thursday's meeting.