Petition to the Springdale Borough Council: Oppose the Allegheny DC Property Data Center

Recent signers:
Regina Sanford and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

We, the undersigned residents and concerned community members, call on the Springdale Borough Council to deny approval and block the construction of the proposed data center by Allegheny DC Property Co.

This data center  has created serious concerns about the future of public health, costs, safety, and livability of our community. 

 

Our Key Concerns Include:

  • Health Risks: Data centers often rely on powerful backup generators and other industrial equipment that emit pollution, which may pose long-term health risks to nearby residents.
  • Excessive Electrical Usage: The electrical demands of large-scale data centers are enormous and could place significant strain on our local energy grid, increasing the risk of outages and long-term utility costs.
  • Noise Pollution: The constant operation of cooling systems, backup generators, and 24/7 maintenance activity will create unacceptable noise levels, particularly harmful in a quiet residential community like Springdale.
  • Decline in Property Values: The industrial nature of data centers and their associated risks are known to drive down home values and make the area less attractive for families and future residents.

 

We respectfully ask you to deny any zoning permits, approvals, or changes related to the building of this data center. In turn, we also ask that we explore alternative community-friendly options to develop the existing property.

475

Recent signers:
Regina Sanford and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

We, the undersigned residents and concerned community members, call on the Springdale Borough Council to deny approval and block the construction of the proposed data center by Allegheny DC Property Co.

This data center  has created serious concerns about the future of public health, costs, safety, and livability of our community. 

 

Our Key Concerns Include:

  • Health Risks: Data centers often rely on powerful backup generators and other industrial equipment that emit pollution, which may pose long-term health risks to nearby residents.
  • Excessive Electrical Usage: The electrical demands of large-scale data centers are enormous and could place significant strain on our local energy grid, increasing the risk of outages and long-term utility costs.
  • Noise Pollution: The constant operation of cooling systems, backup generators, and 24/7 maintenance activity will create unacceptable noise levels, particularly harmful in a quiet residential community like Springdale.
  • Decline in Property Values: The industrial nature of data centers and their associated risks are known to drive down home values and make the area less attractive for families and future residents.

 

We respectfully ask you to deny any zoning permits, approvals, or changes related to the building of this data center. In turn, we also ask that we explore alternative community-friendly options to develop the existing property.

Support now

475


The Decision Makers

Terry Carcella
Terry Carcella
Springdale Borough Manager
Responded
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns about the proposed data center project. Your participation and engagement are essential to how we make decisions in Springdale. As Borough Manager, my responsibility—and that of the Springdale Borough Council—is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community while ensuring that all actions we take comply with state and federal law. The property being discussed, formerly a coal-fired power plant site, remains a contaminated industrial parcel. It is privately owned, and the developer has the legal right to seek a new use for it. At this stage, the developer has not submitted a land-development plan or purchased the property; they are only seeking to understand what conditions might apply if a proposal were to move forward. Under Borough of Springdale Zoning Ordinance and Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), the Borough must treat this as a conditional-use application. That means Borough Council is required by law to hold a public hearing before making any decision. Council members cannot comment publicly until all testimony has been heard. Once that process is complete, Council can set reasonable conditions on the developer to protect community interests. We understand that residents have raised legitimate concerns about noise, electrical demand, and environmental impact, all of which will be considered in the development of these conditions. Furthermore, the Borough has contracted an independent noise study to help guide that process. While there are similar data center proposals in other Western Pennsylvania communities, each site must be evaluated individually. In Springdale, our goal is to ensure that any redevelopment of this property truly serves the best interests of the public. We will continue to review all information carefully and keep residents informed as we move forward. Best regards, Terry Carcella Springdale Borough Manager
John Molnar
Former Springdale Borough Mayor
Springdale Borough Council
2 Members
Michael Ziencik
Springdale Borough Council
Jason Overly
Springdale Borough Council

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