The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners on June 3 advanced several land development matters, including approving improvements to a commercial site and hearing concerns tied to a proposed data center project.

Commissioners granted preliminary/final land development approval for site modifications at JPMorgan Chase Bank along Cedar Crest Boulevard. The plan includes installation of an internal crosswalk, a new pedestrian connection to the Cedar Crest sidewalk and a screened, landscaped dumpster enclosure.

The project also calls for reconfiguring and restriping the drive-through to improve vehicle stacking and traffic flow, a change officials said is intended to address circulation and safety within the site.

Township Manager Tom Petrucci said additional development-related discussion was expected at the planning commission meeting June 11; however, that meeting was canceled. He noted heightened public interest in recent proposals and encouraged residents to monitor the township website for updates. A Nixle alert will be issued if plans change.

Land use concerns also surfaced during public comment, when resident Mary Ann Baldwin spoke about wildlife activity near the site of a proposed data center.

Baldwin said she has documented a pair of bald eagles in the area since December 2024, including the presence of a juvenile bird, and expressed concern about potential impacts from development. She also cited increasing sightings of other wildlife in nearby open areas, including deer, foxes, coyotes and wild turkeys.

Commissioners and township staff requested Baldwin provide photographs and documentation, noting that bald eagle nesting and breeding areas may be subject to state and federal protections that could affect site planning or regulatory review. Officials said the information would be forwarded to appropriate agencies and township staff for further evaluation as the project process continues.

In other action, the board approved updated memorandums of understanding with the Parkland School District related to coordinated safety and law enforcement response, a step officials said supports planning for school-related infrastructure and emergency access.