New details emerge about second data center proposal in Allentown | Allentown Area

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – 69 News has learned new details about a second data center proposal for the city of Allentown.

Last week, during a city council meeting where members voted to tighten data center zoning regulations, city planners mentioned that a second application for a data center project had been submitted but didn’t offer any other details.

Frank Kane, Allentown’s managing director, told 69 News the address for the latest proposal is 1024 N. Bradford Street, adjacent to Coca-Cola Park.

Kane said the developer is J.G. Petrucci. According to Lehigh County property records, an LLC registered to Petrucci’s business address in New Jersey owns the 9.5-acre site.

Unlike the hyperscale data center proposals currently on the table in several Lehigh Valley communities, the N. Bradford Street proposal is smaller in scope, with one central building totaling 146,000 square feet.

Kane said it’s unclear whether the proposal will be considered under the standards adopted in Bill 52, the zoning regulations city council approved on August 5; Petrucci’s application was submitted earlier that same day.  

Bill 52 removes data centers as a permitted use in the IG-Industrial General zoning district and limits them to the Industrial Manufacturing district. It also mandates that data centers be at least 500 feet away from “sensitive” land uses like homes and daycares, and strengthens environmental impact standards.

What is certain is that the regulations will not apply to the first data center proposal that landed on Allentown planners’ desks: 2401 W. Emmaus Avenue, on the city’s southside.

That plan calls for a 224,000 square-foot warehouse that’s currently vacant to be converted into a data center.

A special meeting was held on the proposal last month, where the Allentown Planning Commission took no action. Planning Commission Chairman Christian Brown said officials are eagerly awaiting a formal resubmission from the developer, Quantm Group, which will adjust the plans based on the commission’s feedback and face further review at a future meeting.