ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Revised plans for a data center in south Allentown will go before the city’s planning commission next week.<\/p>\n
The proposal by Quantm Group LLC calls for converting a vacant 224,000-square-foot warehouse at 2401 W. Emaus Avenue into an 80-megawatt data center. An electrical substation would be added to the property.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The location is in the city’s General Industrial (I-3) zoning district.<\/p>\n
The Allentown Planning Commission first reviewed the plans at a meeting in July. No action was taken then; it was agreed that the developer would\u00a0adjust the plans based on the commission’s feedback and face further review at a future meeting.<\/p>\n
Now that meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8.<\/p>\n
According to Allentown Managing Director Frank Kane, the site design has undergone several changes:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Substation relocated from the frontage along W. Emaus Avenue to the south side of the property to reduce visual, noise, and safety impacts.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sound attenuation walls have been added around mechanical equipment areas.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Excess pavement and impervious coverage removed and replaced with landscaping.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Existing sidewalk connection to Emaus Avenue retained.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Existing street front vegetation preserved and supplemented with additional shrubs and evergreen screening.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Two bicycle racks added and space provided for a potential bus shelter.<\/p>\n
Tuesday’s meeting begins at 12:15 p.m. inside Allentown City Council chambers at City Hall at 435 Hamilton Street.<\/p>\n