Citing unresolved deficiencies and outstanding review comments, the South Whitehall Township planning commission took the proposed Project Atlas data center under advisement Sept. 23 rather than making a recommendation on the project.

Chairman David Wilson said hundreds of pages of review comments remain unresolved. Instead of recommending approval or denial, the commission voted to take the matter under advisement and adjourned the special meeting at Parkland High School.

The meeting drew a large crowd to the high school auditorium, where residents and public officials renewed concerns about noise, electrical demand, fire safety, infrastructure and the project’s proximity to the school campus.

Caren Lowrey, a lifelong South Whitehall resident, Parkland graduate and parent of three Parkland students, focused her comments on potential noise impacts.

Lowrey cited findings from the township’s noise consultant and said the high school and nearby residential neighborhoods were among the areas of concern. She also noted township staff and the township engineer were not recommending approval while review comments remain outstanding.

“Schools are treated as noise-sensitive places for a reason,” Lowrey said, adding that the project’s effect on the educational environment deserves further examination.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-16th, expressed opposition to the proposal and raised concerns about the project’s electrical demand, lithium-ion battery systems and potential impacts on emergency services.

Coleman acknowledged the developer’s proposed closed-loop cooling system would not draw from the township water supply but said projected water usage should still be verified.

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley focused on electricity and infrastructure costs. Pinsley said the county’s electricity costs had increased 55% during the past four years and questioned how additional data center development could affect taxpayers.

Pinsley also urged coordination with Lehigh County regarding bridges that could be affected by truck traffic serving the facility.

Former township commissioner Ben Long urged residents and the planning commission to continue scrutinizing the proposal.

Long said his objection was not to data centers or development generally, but to the proposed location. He cited his record of supporting development while serving as a commissioner and said opponents would continue challenging Project Atlas.

Greg Sussman, speaking on behalf of the South Whitehall Civic Alliance, questioned the process used to develop the township’s data center ordinance.

Sussman said records obtained through Right-to-Know requests showed communications among township officials, the developer and PPL during development of the ordinance and before Project Atlas was formally submitted.

He also questioned the ordinance’s 57-decibel property-line noise limit because generator testing and emergency generator operation are exempt from the restriction.

Sussman called for a public hearing on Project Atlas and asked audience members who supported such a hearing to stand.

Following public comment and discussion, Wilson reiterated that substantial review comments remain unresolved.