Local
Montgomery County joins review of proposed Plymouth data center
Montgomery County has gained party status in zoning proceedings over a proposed 2-million-square-foot data center at Plymouth Township’s former steel mill site. Residents will have to wait until evidentiary hearings conclude before offering public comment.
A proposal to build a 2-million-square-foot data center at 900 Conshohocken Road in Plymouth Township remains under review after a contentious zoning hearing Thursday, where Montgomery County was granted a formal role in the case.
Developer Brian O’Neill is seeking a special exception to build on the former steel mill property. The county owns the former Ivy Rock Quarry directly across the road from the proposed site.
O’Neill and his attorneys addressed potential noise and lighting, water and electricity use, and possible jobs and tax revenue. Attorneys for opponents challenged parts of that testimony, saying expert witnesses would be better suited to address several issues. Those experts were not at Thursday’s hearing but are expected to testify at later sessions.
The proceedings included repeated objections and disputes between attorneys and the zoning hearing board’s solicitor. The session was the first continuation of the hearing since August.
Conshohocken resident Christine Bertino, who said she can see the site from her porch, attended to learn more before speaking publicly. No public comment was taken Thursday. The public-comment phase is expected to begin after the evidentiary hearings end, which could take several more weeks.
The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19.