South Annville planning commission recommends denying petitioner’s request

At its May 5 meeting, the South Annville Township Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the South Annville Township Board of Supervisors deny 1235 Martina Drive Owner LLC’s request for zoning changes for a proposed $1.7 billion data center, township officials confirmed.

The commission had until mid-May to make a recommendation to supervisors, who have final say on the petition. The developer has not said whether the project would move forward if the zoning changes it seeks fail to receive township approval.

Michael Schroeder, a South Annville Township resident and self-described “concerned citizen,” spoke with LebTown about the planning commission’s meeting he attended alongside his wife, Karen Feather.

Schroeder told LebTown that each of the six planning commission members responded to the petitioner and the community and shared their views on issues associated with the proposed data center.

“They addressed all the major issues about electricity and water and noise and infrasound and property values. And one of the main things that came out is how little we know and how rapidly this data center build-out is taking place across Pennsylvania and across the country, and how there are so many unanswered questions,” Schroeder said.

While each planning commission member emphasized different issues, which included the overall quality of life for those who live, attend school, and work in proximity to the site of the proposed data center, the commission voted 6-0 on the recommendation.

“This vote by the planning commission last night is purely advisory. It carries no weight of law. And so, it is simply a recommendation to the supervisors. The ultimate decision lies with the supervisors. And they could well vote to not adhere to the recommendation of the planning commission and vote to approve the project,” Schroeder said.

Because of this, Schroeder told those opposed to the proposed data center that it is essential to attend the South Annville Township Board of Supervisors’ next meeting, which will be held Wednesday, May 13, starting at 7 p.m., in the Annville-Cleona Secondary School auditorium.

In addition to South Annville Township residents, Schroeder encouraged residents from Annville, North Annville, North Londonderry, and South Londonderry townships and Cleona and Palmyra boroughs to attend the meeting.

“While they may not have an opportunity to speak at the supervisors’ meeting, just their physical presence and packing the room would make it very clear to the supervisors how much popular opposition there is to this project,” Schroeder said.

Schroeder added that a petition committee has gathered more than 450 signatures on paper, representing almost 20% of the entire adult population of South Annville Township. There is a signable petition online at change.org. A letter-writing committee is also working to share its members’ views in opposition to the proposed data center with supervisors.

“It’s all very heartening to me how people have really stepped up in the community. And this is a genuine community grassroots effort — locally organized, locally generated — because people care about their community, … the health of their children and their neighbors and themselves,” Schroeder said.