A proposal to build a 2-million-square-foot artificial intelligence data center at a former steel mill site in Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania, has been met with significant opposition from local residents. The Plymouth Township planning board voted unanimously against recommending the project following a public meeting where community members raised concerns about environmental impact, noise, and rising electricity costs.
The developer, Brian O’Neill, presented the project as a forward-thinking renovation that would bring jobs and tax revenue to the area. However, the plan's future now rests with the township's zoning hearing board, which will consider the application later this month.
Key Takeaways
- A developer plans to convert the former Cleveland-Cliffs steel mill near Conshohocken into a massive AI data center.
- Residents have organized to oppose the project, citing environmental, noise, and economic concerns.
- The Plymouth Township planning board voted 4-0 not to recommend a required zoning exception for the facility.
- The final decision on the zoning exception will be made by the township's zoning hearing board.
Details of the Proposed Data Center
Developer Brian O’Neill has proposed repurposing the Cleveland-Cliffs steel mill, located at 900 Conshohocken Road, into a large-scale AI data center. The facility would occupy 2 million square feet across 10 existing buildings on the 66-acre property along the Schuylkill River.
The steel plant ceased operations during the summer, resulting in the layoff of more than 100 workers. O'Neill has not disclosed the potential tenant that would operate the data center, citing confidentiality agreements.
Developer's Arguments for the Project
During a public meeting, O’Neill described the plan as a "sensitive, historic renovation" that would position the region at the forefront of the technology industry. He argued that the project would stimulate the local economy and attract other businesses.
He stated the project would create 12,000 union construction jobs and generate approximately $21 million in annual tax revenue, a figure that was questioned by a board member. O'Neill also noted that the facility would generate its own power using natural gas.
State and National Push for AI Infrastructure
The proposal aligns with broader government initiatives to expand AI computing capacity. In July, the Trump administration released an "AI Action Plan" aimed at streamlining data center construction, which involved easing some environmental regulations. Separately, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has expressed a desire for the state to become a leader in AI, recently supporting new Amazon data centers in Bucks County.
Community Backlash and Key Concerns
The proposal prompted immediate and organized opposition from residents of the surrounding area. At the planning board meeting, more than a dozen community members spoke against the project, outlining a range of concerns.
Environmental and Quality of Life Issues
Residents expressed worries about potential environmental pollution, as well as noise and light pollution from the large-scale facility. Amber Boyd-Finch, a resident of the nearby Connaughtown neighborhood, questioned the placement of such an industrial facility next to a community playground.
"You want to put that right next to their playground?" she asked during the meeting, referencing her children's use of the local park.
Paul Tornetta, owner of the adjacent Proving Grounds sports complex, raised concerns about potential "smokestacks" from the proposed on-site power generation turbines, which he feared could direct emissions toward downtown Conshohocken.
Electricity Costs a Major Point of Contention
A significant concern raised by residents was the potential for increased electricity prices. The Philadelphia area is part of the PJM electrical grid, which also serves Virginia's "Data Center Alley," the world's largest concentration of data centers. According to a recent Bloomberg analysis, areas with significant data center activity have seen electricity costs rise by as much as 267% over the last five years.
Resident Genevieve Boland highlighted this issue, stating, "If you’re wondering why your electricity prices are already so high, you can thank data centers."
The Planning Board's Decision and Next Steps
In response to the public feedback, the Plymouth Township planning board voted 4-0 against recommending that the zoning hearing board grant a special exception for the data center. The project requires this exception because a data center is not a specifically permitted use in the area's "heavy industrial" zone.
O'Neill argued that the facility is functionally similar to a warehouse or laboratory, which are permitted uses. However, residents and the board were not convinced.
The Path Forward for the Project
The planning board's vote is a recommendation and is not binding. The ultimate decision rests with the township's zoning hearing board, which is scheduled to hear the application on October 20.
According to township zoning officer Joel Rowe, if the zoning board approves the application, the developer must still navigate a full land development application process and secure all necessary building permits. A decision by the zoning board can be appealed to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas within 30 days.
Rapid Community Organization
The opposition to the data center was organized in a matter of days by Connaughtown residents Patti Smith and Genevieve Boland. After learning about the proposal from a local news website, the two quickly mobilized their neighbors.
Boland, who works in corporate sustainability, and Smith, a law student, used social media and distributed over 100 fliers to inform the community. They emphasized that their opposition is not against technology itself but against what they see as a large-scale industrial project that could negatively impact their community without sufficient local benefit.
"We’re not anti-AI," Boland explained. "We’re anti-deep-pocketed people coming into town... to put more money in their pocket and really take advantage of people."
Despite the initial victory at the planning board meeting, the organizers view the situation as an ongoing challenge. "If we lose it here," Smith said, "there is no redo."
