Sugarloaf Township Supervisors Address Data Center Zoning, Lawsuit Amidst Industrial Development Pressures
Sugarloaf Township supervisors denied an extension for a warehouse project, citing sewage disposal concerns and active resident opposition. Concurrently, LBT Investment Group LLC is suing the township to establish zoning rules for a proposed data center. The township is now considering new ordinances to regulate future industrial developments, including data centers, due to these pressures.
Sugarloaf Township supervisors voted on June 24 to deny an extension for Sugarloaf Logistics' proposed warehouse project, citing unresolved sewage disposal issues and strong community opposition. Thomas Meagher, Vice President of Blue Rock Construction, described the project's journey as an "uphill battle from day 1" and stated that the decision puts it on hold. Residents, including Jeff Butala and Marguerite Woelfel, voiced concerns about the project's scale and infrastructure impacts, urging supervisors to reject further delays.
This decision unfolds as the township grapples with a lawsuit from LBT Investment Group LLC of Chicago, which seeks a curative amendment to the zoning ordinance to facilitate the development of six data center buildings on land owned by Richard Angelo Family LTD Partners. The proposed data center project, for which LBT Investment has yet to submit detailed plans, cannot coexist with the warehouse development. In response, the township is set to consider a general amendment on August 4 to establish a review process for novel industrial uses, including requirements for environmental impact reports and compatibility demonstrations.
The increasing pace of industrial proposals, including the data centers and associated high-voltage power lines, has taken a toll on Supervisor Chair Rick Weaver, who announced his resignation by year-end. Weaver commended residents like John Zola and Erica Cook for their persistent opposition to the data center projects and encouraged continued community involvement. The proposed ordinance aims to strengthen protections for the township against significant impacts from large-scale industrial developments.