Philly suburb: Sure, build that data center—but first meet our 43 demands
The final condition will shock you! (It won’t. It’s taxes.)
In a pitched battle in the Philadelphia suburbs, a developer named Brian O'Neill is seeking approval for a massive 2 million-square-foot data center in a former steel plant. While Pennsylvania law does not allow the township to outright reject any lawful land use, Plymouth Township can enforce zoning rules and impose project mitigations in the name of health and safety.
This particular project has sparked controversy, as the developer is not only requesting the construction of the data center but also expects the community to meet his 43 demands before granting the permit. These demands include ensuring the data center pays taxes, covering the costs of water and power upgrades, maintaining low noise levels, and employing local residents at fair wages.
The developer has expressed a willingness to comply with these requirements—until he encountered the specific list of demands laid out by the township. This dynamic highlights the growing concerns among state and local governments across the United States, where constituents are increasingly wary of data centers. Many Americans agree that these facilities should contribute positively to the communities in which they operate, rather than solely benefiting the developers.
Written by urgent.news from Ars Technica Policy's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
