Unfortunately, City Council passed Bill 20 last night... with a verbal agreement to make amendments to Bill 20 as quickly as possible (which would take us into September). So any applications for data centers going into Allentown, merely have to abide by the current Bill 20. It's not enough.
I want to share with you the zoning map of Allentown. Those light and dark gray areas? Those are the IG (Industrial General) and IM (Industrial Manufacturing) areas. Bill 20 states data centers can go in those areas. Notice how majority of them are on the Southside of Allentown. Even if we are able to win against the data center at 2401 W. EMAUS Ave, I guarantee you there will be new applicants for data centers in these other areas of town. The areas that back our beautiful Parkway system. The areas backing different Southside neighborhoods. It's the only area of the city with large industrial land parcels.
We are not angry enough.
We are not loud enough.
I look around my house and my neighborhood and love this vibrant community. I am so afraid of losing it. I am so afraid of the irreparable damage that WILL be done by these data centers long term in our community, with little to no repercussions thanks to Bill 20. I am angry with City Council, who had the chance to do better for us and didn't, and left us with shaky verbal agreements that they'll do their best to amend the bill as quickly as possible. In the 6 months it took them to write up Bill 20, they basically gave data centers a free-for-all. I don't believe them. Do you?