South Whitehall Township commissioners Sept. 2 expanded an agreement allowing exploratory water well drilling on property associated with the proposed Project Atlas data center development, adding a third parcel to the township’s ongoing groundwater investigation.

The amendment to the township’s agreement with Jeras Corporation increases the acreage covered by the investigation from approximately 790 acres to 818 acres. Township Manager Tom Petrucci said the original agreement, approved March 18 and executed March 20, provided access to two properties for exploratory groundwater studies. The amended agreement covers approximately 400 acres at 2493 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., approximately 390 acres at 2309-2371 Minnich Road and approximately 28 acres along N. Cedar Crest Boulevard.

Petrucci emphasized the agreement does not approve a land development project, alter zoning or land-use regulations, commit the township to acquiring property or authorize construction of a municipal water supply facility. Instead, he said, the drilling is intended to determine whether wells on the properties are viable. Board President Jacob Roth said the amendment simply adds another parcel to the existing agreement. Commissioners approved it 5-0.

During public comment, township resident Tara Hauser questioned the timing of Jeras Corporation’s willingness to allow exploratory drilling, noting access for groundwater investigations had been sought for several years. She expressed concern the property owners are now cooperating while a development requiring township approval is proposed for the site.

Hauser also raised concerns about Project Atlas and communications between township staff and representatives of Edged Energy. Petrucci said township staff met and communicated with the developer before adoption of the township’s PIRT ordinance, but such meetings with prospective developers are customary. He disputed Hauser’s assertion the ordinance was crafted to accommodate the developer, saying it was intended to protect the township. He added no members of the board of commissioners were involved in those communications.

Roth said the data center proposal has been before the township for about 10 months and remains noncompliant with portions of the PIRT ordinance and the township’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. He said he did not respond to a developer’s request for a meeting earlier this year. Commissioners Glenn Guanowsky and Sharon Fehringer-Ricker said they also have not met privately with the developer and would only participate in discussions in a public forum.

In an update posted Sept. 4, the township’s planning department reported the planning commission is not recommending approval of the Project Atlas preliminary plan at this time because of outstanding review comments and requested the applicant address them and resubmit the plan.

Separately, Petrucci reported July revenues continued to exceed expenditures across township funds. He said the Land Acquisition Fund had reached 27.88% of projected revenue, attributing the lower figure to a lag in earned income tax receipts. Additional revenue is expected to be posted in September, he said.