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Planning commission tables review of proposed Nesquehoning data‑center amid water, power and timeline concerns
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Summary
Carbon County planning commissioners delayed review of a phased data‑center proposal in Nesquehoning after staff raised missing technical reports, questioned a 30‑day review window, and recommended a 90‑day extension while the developer prepares responses and attends the next meeting.
The Carbon County Planning Commission agreed to table consideration of a proposed phased data‑center complex in Nesquehoning after staff and commissioners raised technical and procedural concerns and asked the developer for more information.
Greg (role not specified), who presented the submission, said the current filing covers phase one — one proposed building of a planned four — but includes infrastructure sized to serve later phases. He told the commission the plan shows multiple stormwater facilities and “around 4,000 feet of retaining walls” that will need coordinated design review. He said site work will exceed one acre and thus require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and that tying into borough water and sanitary systems will trigger separate approvals. “They’re only gonna use about 3,000 gallons per day of water, which is ridiculously low,” Greg said; he added staff will scrutinize that estimate and require confirmation from the borough authority and fire company for water and fire‑flow capacity.
Commissioners and staff flagged additional technical issues, including where the site would draw electrical service and whether proposed back‑up generators and building‑level mitigations are sufficient to limit noise and harmonics from large, peaking electrical loads. Speakers said PPL has discussed a transmission line to the area and that the developer may pay for portions of that work; PPL’s and the developer’s final plans and payment arrangements were not specified in the meeting record.
Several members also warned of procedural time pressure. Staff described a 30‑day statutory review window following the borough’s submittal that could permit the borough to act without the commission’s comments. Multiple commissioners said they did not want to be rushed; one commissioner said, “This is a major development for Nesquahoning and Carbon County, and we should not feel rushed.” Staff recommended that the applicant file a 90‑day extension so reviewers can complete a thorough letter and that any conditional approval include clear conditions for outstanding items such as an NPDES permit and a completed stormwater management report.
The developer’s representative (Carolyn Medina, who said she was present on the call) said CEC and the applicant had expected the item to be tabled and offered to appear at the next meeting with fuller materials. Commissioners agreed to leave the item on the table and asked staff to coordinate schedules and documentation so the developer can answer questions at the next meeting.
No final approvals or permits were granted at the meeting; the commission recorded its decision to table the item pending the applicant’s additional materials and any requested extensions.
