Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stormwater Data Center topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Task Force flags stormwater impact after data center plan shifts basins into West Whiteland
Summary
Task Force members said an amended plan for a proposed East Whiteland data center moves water-quality basins into West Whiteland, creating roughly 4 acres of stormwater controls, raising concerns about flooding, Superfund-site permitting and jurisdictional approvals.
The West Whiteland Township Stormwater Task Force on April 15 discussed an amended plan for a proposed data center in neighboring East Whiteland that moves stormwater controls into West Whiteland.
Wyatt Williams, the township's Sustainability Coordinator, provided a memorandum outlining the stormwater facilities now proposed in West Whiteland to serve the larger data center. Task Force consultant Nick Szeredai of SSM Group said the amendment relocates water-quality forebay areas that previously sat in East Whiteland into West Whiteland to make room for additional parking, creating roughly four acres of stormwater controls in West Whiteland.
Szeredai said a pre-construction meeting was held the day of the task force meeting but that the township is currently allowing only the construction of facilities approved in the original 2025 plan. He also described the amended layout as acceptable on paper but cautioned that on-the-ground issues and permitting remain: "it works on paper," he said, but the area is a Superfund site and is awaiting EPA approval.
Pam Gural-Bear, West Whiteland Township Manager, told the task force the original plan was reviewed by SSM and the Planning Commission and approved by the Board of Supervisors; she said the Board approved the amendment contingent on East Whiteland's approval of the larger data center. Libby Madarasz, the Supervisor liaison, said the developer (Green Fig) has submitted a third plan and may need to restart the submission process rather than proceed by amendment.
Task Force member Mike Dowger, who said he consults for construction-related insurance claims, expressed concern that modern data center designs have generated claims from adjacent properties and that new construction can increase local flooding even when professional reviewers sign off on plans. The task force discussed the need for clear responsibility and oversight if additional stormwater features are built in West Whiteland.
The township has not authorized work beyond the originally approved 2025 facilities; further construction or changes are contingent on East Whiteland approvals and any required EPA action related to the Superfund designation. The task force did not record a further vote on the amended data-center plans at the April meeting.
