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Planning Commission recommends approval, with conditions, of stormwater plan for proposed data centers
Summary
West Whiteland’s Planning Commission voted 5-1 to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve a revised stormwater and landscaping plan for a stormwater basin at 215 Valley Creek Blvd. to serve an expanded data center in East Whiteland, imposing 11 waivers/conditions including monitoring, maintenance agreements, landscaping and nuisance controls.
The West Whiteland Township Planning Commission on Feb. 17 recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a final land‑development plan titled "The Data Centers," with eleven waivers and conditions addressing stormwater, landscaping, maintenance agreements and financial security.
John Weller, Planning Director, said the revision responds to an expanded data‑center design in neighboring East Whiteland Township. Applicant representatives described a two‑acre wet basin with an eight‑foot permanent pool, expanded rain gardens intended to treat runoff ahead of the basin, an over‑designed outlet structure and a reverse siphon to reduce thermal discharges to Valley Creek. The applicants said the basin design is larger than ordinance minimums and that rain gardens are lined to avoid sinkholes.
Jack Robinson, civil engineer for the applicant, told commissioners the basin is "15% to 20% larger than needed," and that added rain gardens will filter roof runoff before entering the pond. Applicant representatives said all roof runoff and treated parking runoff will be handled on site and that the data center will be air‑cooled, eliminating process water discharges.
Commissioners probed potential nuisances and risks. Charles Lyddane and Greg Walters of Green Fig confirmed diesel backup generators will be stored in double‑wall tanks and tested for one hour per month; the applicant said generators will be enclosed in containment to limit noise and spills. Environmental consultant Jennifer Fields said the Environmental Protection Agency had confirmed the West Whiteland parcel was not used for industrial activities and that a known groundwater contamination plume lies well below the planned excavation depth; the EPA is reviewing the current plan.
The Commission included conditions to address potential future problems: provisions for geese or pest controls if the basin attracts nuisances; mechanical aeration if water quality deteriorates; execution and recording of a Stormwater Facilities Maintenance Agreement and Landscaping Restrictive Covenant; and a developer financial security and agreement subject to consultant review. The motion (moved by Todd Rouse; seconded by Denise Jones) passed 5‑1, with Commissioner Virginia Kerslake opposing.
The written motion attached to the record lists the specific waivers and conditions being recommended to the Board, including two stated waivers from parts of the Stormwater Management Ordinance and several administrative approvals tied to consultant satisfaction and payment of outstanding invoices.
The Commission also discussed monitoring for water quality, fence/no‑fence treatment of the pond edges, and coordination with East Whiteland on emergency protocols. Applicants agreed to coordinate landscaping with the Township landscape consultant, consider geese controls, and to work with East Whiteland’s fire marshal on industrial fire response protocols. The Planning Commission’s recommendation now goes to the Board of Supervisors for final action.
