Salem Twp. planning board to vote 3rd time on expanding data center zoning
Salem Township's planning commission is scheduled for a third vote on expanding a data center overlay district to accommodate additional campuses, after previous approvals were challenged in a lawsuit. A Luzerne County judge ruled that the commission must hold another hearing due to a Pennsylvania Sunshine Act violation and subsequently issued a stay on further action. Land deals worth $1.4 billion hinge on the outcome of this upcoming vote.
The Salem Township planning commission is preparing for a third vote on expanding a Special Data Center Overlay District, a decision that could unlock approximately $1.4 billion in land deals. The proposed expansion would add 4,466 acres for the Glennbrook Group, intended for two additional data center campuses, and include 185 acres for Moores 109 LLC for a fourth campus.
This marks the third attempt to secure approval for the expansion, following a lawsuit filed by citizens who claimed they were improperly excluded from the initial July 23 meeting, violating the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. Luzerne County Judge Lesa S. Gelb subsequently ordered the planning commission to hold another hearing. Although the applications were re-approved on August 27, township officials later received Judge Gelb's written order, issued August 26, which imposed a stay on any data center overlay district action, effectively nullifying the August 27 decision.
Prior to the upcoming vote, the planning commission will meet on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Berwick Assembly of God Church, where public comment will be permitted from township residents and taxpayers.