The Upper Macungie Township Zoning Hearing Board met Feb. 25 to discuss an appeal filed by Air Products for a proposed data center at 7300 Cetronia Road.

Four board members were present.

Before any testimony began, Air Products asked to postpone the hearing until May 27.

Company representative Blake Marles said the delay is needed to gather more information and determine whether the large-scale data center project is feasible.

Township Solicitor Stephen A. Strack, Esq. told the board that while applicants can request delays, the board must also ensure decisions are made in a timely manner.

The board briefly paused the public meeting to privately discuss whether to grant the continuance.

Air Products is proposing a three-building, 2.6 million-square-foot data center campus on its former headquarters property.

The site served as the company’s global headquarters for decades before it moved in 2021 to a nearby 53-acre campus at 1940 Air Products Blvd.

A key issue discussed at the meeting was which version of the township’s zoning rules applies to the case.

In simple terms, township officials must decide whether older zoning regulations or a newer amendment should govern the project.

In December 2025, the township updated its zoning ordinance to prohibit data centers in the Limited Industrial district.

However, if the earlier version of the ordinance applies, that new restriction would not affect this proposal.

Under the older rules, the company would need to prove a data center is similar enough to other allowed industrial uses and would not create greater impacts – such as noise, traffic or other disruptions – than uses already permitted in the district.

The solicitor also explained the concept of “standing,” which determines who has the legal right to participate in the hearing.

The township and the applicant are automatically parties to the case.

Members of the public may participate if they can show they would be directly and significantly affected by the project.

General concerns or opposition alone are usually not enough.

Because the company has not yet presented detailed evidence about the project’s potential impacts, the solicitor noted it may be difficult at this stage for residents to demonstrate that direct impact.

No public comment was taken at this meeting.