What happens next?

Trainer Borough’s zoning officer, Charles Remaley, confirmed to Altieri in August that the property’s industrial zoning allows for development of a data center “by-right.”

“The proposed development is therefore permitted with respect to use,” Remaley wrote. “Any Required site plan, subdivision, building, engineering, environmental, or other Governmental approvals shall be obtained separately as applicable.”

If Link Logistics chooses to pursue the data center project, it will need to submit a site plan for approval by the Trainer Borough Planning Commission and Borough Council.

The project would also likely need environmental permits from the state of Pennsylvania, including stormwater and erosion control permits and air pollution permits for backup generators. Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed an executive order reserving a more efficient process of environmental permit review for data center proposals that commit to meeting the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development, or GRID, standards and have already received local approval.

Link Logistics also sought preliminary zoning approval from Lower Chichester Township, for the portion of the site that lies within that municipality. In a letter dated July 22, Frank E. Hendron, Lower Chichester Township zoning officer, said a data center is not a permitted use under the site’s current zoning.

The preliminary test fit drawing included in Altieri’s August letter to Trainer Borough shows the data center building located only within the portion of the site located in Trainer.

A Link Logistics spokesperson said in a written statement provided by Altieri on Monday that the company is “pleased to have received a favorable Preliminary Opinion from Trainer Borough.”

“This is not a building permit; any project, should we decide to pursue, will require an application and Borough approvals,” the spokesperson wrote.

The environmental advocacy group Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living is hosting a community meeting about the possible proposal Sept. 23 in Boothwyn.