Days before a public hearing on the proposed Project Atlas data center in South Whitehall, township officials have released details on its experts’ responses to the developer’s plans for the 5 million-square-foot project across from Parkland High School.
The 160-page document on the township website shows that several agencies that studied the plans have concerns, and at least two departments — the township engineer and community development — do not recommend building the data center campus as it is now described.
Traffic concerns were high on the list of items flagged by engineering firm The Pidcock Co., including during the construction phase of the project. A report from developer CDE Acquisitions indicates that would be 400-500 construction employees coming and going from the site and construction would last four years.
This could lead to significant impacts, particularly at the entrances to the site, township engineers found.
Five buildings, three of them housing data centers, are proposed for 410 acres of undeveloped agricultural land at 2493 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. The tract is bordered by Mauch Chunk Road and Orefield Road. It’s in South Whitehall’s planned innovation, research and technology overlay district.
The township’s land use economist also voiced concerns about the plan in the report, writing that the property’s $640 million price tag was not clarified as to whether that number was assessed or market value, a distinction that could reduce property tax estimates from the site by half, according to 4Ward Planning Inc.
Other concerns highlighted in the report were the amount of water used per day, generators placed on gravel and fencing around the property.
Township Manager Thomas Petrucci said the documents were posted so that residents could stay informed about the progress of the project, but noted land development applications are submitted by property owners and developers, not the township, and the township is legally obligated to review all properly submitted land development projects.
“The township understands the significant public interest surrounding this proposal and recognizes the importance of ensuring that all aspects of the application receive a thorough, objective and fact-based evaluation,” Petrucci said. “As with every land development application submitted to the township, decisions regarding Project Atlas will ultimately be based upon the applicant’s compliance with applicable local ordinances, state law and all relevant regulatory requirements, with the overarching goal of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the South Whitehall Township community.”
The data center has received significant pushback from the community, including a Change.org petition and South Whitehall Civic Alliance fundraiser that had raised nearly $26,000 by Sunday.
The planning commission has until July 30 to act on the developer’s request. A hearing is set for 7 p.m. Thursday.