A lawyer representing Pennhurst Properties, the company that wants to build a data center at the former Pennhurst Asylum site, told East Vincent Township supervisors that a proposed data center ordinance, in its current draft, would essentially prevent the construction of a data center on the property. He said because a submission to the township has already been made under the current zoning ordinance, the company that wants to build the data center “is under no obligation” to proceed with the project under the ordinance now under consideration by the township. However, should the township be willing to make some modifications to the current draft, McHugh’s clients would prefer to work collaboratively to end up with a project, he said. McHugh said the project’s financial analysis shows $37 million in annual tax revenues for the Owen J. Roberts School District, as well as $2 million in annual tax revenues to the township, along with 1,000 construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs once the center is built, all without the increased truck traffic a more conventional use would generate. Common concerns around data center construction revolve around electricity demand and the potential to raise electric rates, water usage and noise pollution. In addition to the project at Pennhurst, a proposal for another data center along Route 724 in neighboring East Coventry Township recently became public.
Source: Daily Local; 12/7/2025