Smithfield Gateway Data Center Submission

The Developer (DEPG Mosier Associates LP & DEPG of Shawnee II LP)) submitted a conditional use application for a data center (two buildings) at Smithfield Gateway, behind St. Luke’s and Wawa.

All the documents for the conditional use are available on this page: https://smithfieldtownship.com/odp/gatewaydc/ To any of you who have been following the sketch plans, please note that the sketch plans are at the bottom of the new page, and the old sketch plan link will automatically redirect to the conditional use page. If you’d like to view the application documents in person, there’s a set available for public inspection at the Township Municipal Center (1155 Red Fox Rd, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301) M-F, from 8:00AM – 4:30PM.

This application is for a conditional use, not land development. Under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Act, the conditional use stage is about use approval and general compliance, not full engineering. A “tentative” or “conceptual” plan is expected to show enough detail to demonstrate the use, when fully engineered, can comply with Zoning and SALDO requirements.  A conditional use is a use allowed in the zoning district by right, but only after a hearing and approval by the Township. The applicant must show that the proposal can meet ordinance standards. Then, anyone opposing the request must show that the use would create greater harm than normally expected for that type (Data Center) of use. Later, if the conditional use is approved by the Board, submission of land development plans by the Applicant will need to address the physical design of the site, such as buildings, parking, roads, and drainage to demonstrate conformity with SALDO.

In short, conditional use is about whether the use is allowed; land development is about how the property will be built. If the conditional use application is approved, the Developer needs to go through the land development process before he can build anything.

Any outcome of the conditional use hearing can be appealed to the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas. If the Board of Supervisors votes against the conditional use, the developer can appeal the decision. If the Board of Supervisors approves the conditional use, the objectors can appeal the decision.

The Township is required to schedule a hearing within 60 days of receipt of the application. Times, places, and dates for the hearings are still pending. We’re expecting a larger than normal turnout for this hearing, so we’re exploring larger venues to accommodate more people. I will reach out through this mailing list to keep everyone informed during every step of this process.

In the meantime, if you have questions about anything you see in the application, please feel free to reach out to the Developer at 610-304-4478 (this contact information is directly from the application available on the conditional use page). 

If you know of anyone else who wants to receive these updates, please have them reach out to me atjulia@smithfieldtownship.com to be added to the list.