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Developer pitches low-impact data center for Zeager Brothers site in Londonderry Township
Summary
Developer Viridian Partners presented a plan to redevelop the Zeager Brothers I1 property as a data center, saying it would generate more tax revenue than a warehouse with lower truck and school impacts; residents raised concerns about farmland loss and tax effects on schools.
Charlie Courtney of McNees Wallace & Nurick and Michael Cahn, a partner at Viridian Partners, presented to the Londonderry Township Board of Supervisors on Feb. 3 a concept to redevelop the Zeager Brothers I1 industrial property as a data center. The presentation emphasized that a data center would produce significant tax revenue while creating fewer truck trips and less impact on schools than a typical warehouse development.
Courtney said the property’s proximity to high-capacity power lines makes it suitable for data-center use. Cahn described Viridian’s experience redeveloping environmentally challenged sites and showed examples of data-center projects, outlining operational differences and potential annual fiscal benefits compared with warehouses. Board members and staff asked about zoning overlays, potential noise impacts, access points and local power demand; those items remain under discussion.
Resident Kevin Little asked whether Lower Dauphin School District taxes would be reduced if TMI reopens or the Zeager property develops; Supervisor Mel Hershey directed that the school board would be the proper body to answer school-tax questions. Resident Joe Sheehan urged the board to consider the loss of farmland and woodland if redevelopment proceeds. Resident Steve Wisniewski asked how data systems make money; Manager David Blechertas replied that data centers store data for private businesses and generate revenue by providing that storage and related services.
Board members did not take a formal vote on the proposal. The presentation was heard as part of the manager’s report; the board requested additional information on zoning, infrastructure demands and fiscal projections before any land-use or rezoning action.
The presentation represents the developer’s concept and projected benefits; the board has not independently verified fiscal estimates and no formal agreement or zoning change was approved at the meeting. Next procedural steps were not specified during the meeting.
