Upper Allen board authorizes informational statement and monitoring after wave of resident concern over proposed Monroe data center

Upper Allen Township commissioners authorized staff and the township solicitor on Wednesday to finalize an informational statement about a proposed data‑center presentation in neighboring Monroe Township, following extensive public comment from residents who said the project could affect wells, streams, noise, lights and property values.

The board's statement — drafted as an informational notice rather than a directive to Monroe — notes there was no formal application filed in Monroe as of the meeting date and that zoning and public‑notice requirements would apply if Monroe considered any rezoning or land‑use change. "It is premature to take any type of actual action until there's actually a proposal on the table," the board said in its briefing, stressing the need to wait for an application before judging scope or impacts.

Residents from Ashcom Farms, Canterbury and other neighborhoods delivered lengthy testimony about maps they compiled, potential impacts to nearby wetlands and Trout Run, and fears that a large ‘‘hyperscale’’ facility could draw large volumes of water and generate sustained noise and lighting. Tina Prince and other organizers said they had formed a local 'No Monroe Data Center' group and planned to attend Monroe's June 11 informational meeting; several speakers said they had already retained counsel or planned to do so.

Township solicitor Josh (on the record as the solicitor) briefed the board on pending state legislation and explained that prior iterations of a bill had proposed limits on local regulation but that the latest drafts seen by the solicitor focused on permitting timelines rather than preemption of local zoning. The solicitor cautioned that newspaper reporting and early developer statements are "hearsay" in a legal sense and that courts typically prefer live testimony; he recommended careful legal review if formal applications follow.

Board members debated whether to pre‑retain high‑powered outside land‑use counsel immediately or wait for the Monroe meeting and potential application. After discussion the board voted not to retain outside special counsel at this meeting, but did authorize staff and counsel to finalize and publish the township's informational statement and to continue monitoring Monroe's process.

What happens next: Monroe Township's informational meeting is scheduled June 11; residents and the township solicitor said they will monitor that presentation and reconvene as needed. Several residents urged quick adoption of locally protective zoning language and possible decommissioning or financial guarantees if a facility is proposed.