ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A developer is pushing hard for approval of a 5-million-square-foot data center in South Whitehall Township.
Local residents are pushing back even harder.
Citing the negative impacts of data centers — astronomical energy usage; air, water and noise pollution; and health concerns — the answer from residents is clear: No data center.
"This would just drain the resources of our region. This could be disastrous.”Katy Howe, a senior electrical engineer
“We are selling out our children [in favor of] the big data emperors,” Katy Howe, a senior electrical engineer, told Lehigh Valley Planning Commission members who reviewed the plan Thursday.
Howe was among a dozen residents who voiced opposition to the data center.
A data center houses many networked computers that work together to process, store and share data.
CDE Acquisitions LLC proposes constructing six data center buildings totaling 5,038,100 square feet on a 410-acre parcel of underdeveloped farmland.
Owned by Jeras Corp., a real estate company in South Whitehall Township, the Atlas Data Center Campus project site is at 2493 N. Cedar Crest Blvd, south of Orefield Road between Mauch Chunk Road and North Cedar Crest Boulevard.
And, most disturbingly to township residents, the data center would be built adjacent to Parkland High School.
“It is crazy we’re considering this near a high school,” Howe said. “I’m concerned for the students and the residents of South Whitehall Township.
“These data centers use 200-to-300 megawatts of power a day. That’s the equivalent of energy uses of up to 250,000 homes, a huge load on our power grid.
"This would just drain the resources of our region. This could be disastrous.”
'All will not be fine'
The LVPC unanimously approved a comment letter on the proposal. It will be forwarded to South Whitehall Township officials and be further discussed at the township’s Feb. 12 planning commission meeting.
LVPC member Christopher Amato noted that the laws that permit for such land development were written well before data centers came into existence.
“I’m looking at five million square feet. That’s five Parkland High Schools. That’s 4.5 Lehigh Valley Malls.”LVPC member Christopher Amato
He expressed astonishment at the sheer size of the data center plan.
“I’m looking at five million square feet,” Amato said. “That’s five Parkland High Schools. That’s 4.5 Lehigh Valley Malls.”
The project site is identified for Farmland Preservation in the General Land Use Plan of FutureLV: The Regional Plan, with nearby Preservation Buffer and Exurban designations, the review letter states.
From a regional perspective, land preservation is preferred in the areas to protect the region’s existing open space, direct development to areas with existing infrastructure and to minimize development pressures from creeping outward from development areas.
The review addressed the health and quality of life impacts data centers can pose to neighboring residents.
Among the potential impacts of concern, the commission said, are pre- and post-construction noise, building sizes that are aesthetically designed to match those on neighboring properties and air quality affected by the continuous mechanical cooling systems that exhaust significant amounts of waste heat.
Resident Jill Schneider said the lack of complete information regarding energy and water usage is an indication that “all will not be fine.”
“We’re the citizens and everyone here finds it reasonable we should have that information,” Schneider said.
'Hearing that noise 24/7'
David Manhardt, South Whitehall Township director of community development, said township commissioners would get that information from the developer during the meetings before approval may be granted.
"It's insanity to be putting this near a high school and homes."Joel Gilley, South Whitehall Township resident
Said resident Joel Gilley, who lives on Mauch Chunk Road, across from the proposed data center site: “It’s insanity to be putting this near a high school and homes.”
Gilley suggested an alternate site.
“Down on I-78, there are thousands and thousands and thousands of acres that are not near a residence or schools,” he said.
Data centers generate significant noise primarily from their massive, continuously running cooling systems (fans, chillers, air handlers) and backup generators, essential for preventing servers from overheating.
The sound often is described as a low-frequency hum or whine that can be disruptive.
“I’m imagining being outside and hearing that noise 24/7," said David Sussman, who lives 1,100 feet from the proposed site.
The South Whitehall Township data center proposal is the second such plan the LVPC has reviewed since evaluating a three-building, 2.6-million-square-foot complex in Upper Macungie Township.
Also Thursday, the LVPC approved proposed amendments to zoning ordinances to allow data centers in Upper Saucon Township and North Whitehall Township.
Both would define data centers as a conditional use and require energy management plans and water resource reports.
The LVPC recommended setbacks of 500 feet and adherence to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emission standards for backup generators.
