Developers submit 218‑page data center plan; borough flags utility needs, 90‑day review clock

Bill McMullen told Nesquehoning Borough Council on April 8 that the proposed data center land development submission contains extensive materials and unresolved infrastructure questions. "there are a lot of moving parts," he said, adding the submission for the East Node runs to 218 sheets.

McMullen described the project's utility profile: domestic water demand is expected to be low but fire‑flow requirements required a hydraulic model, and the developer proposes re‑piping a water main from Industrial to Dennison Road. He said sewer allocation at the borough plant is adequate (18,000 gallons per day maximum) and the site will need approximately 86 Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs). "The EDU’s will be up to $6811.00 per EDU and that is correct calculations," McMullen said. He also reported the project's initial water fill could be "1-2 million gallons" with subsequent daily use on the order of 10,000 gallons per day.

President Nalesnik emphasized procedural timing: once the borough signs or stamps the plan "there is a clock that starts and we have 90 days to finalize," meaning staff and council must complete reviews or issue a formal response within that statutory period. Greg Haas and other reviewers will assist; McMullen noted review costs are the developer's responsibility.

Why it matters: the council's review will determine whether tapping fees, pipe upgrades and sewer allocation are acceptable before any formal approvals. Next steps include planning commission review, county sign‑offs and a borough completeness letter; council members said they would continue technical review before any final action.