The first conditional use hearing on a proposed 1.4-million-square-foot data center in Limerick Township, to be built on 192 acres opposite the Philadelphia Premium Outlets, spent its entire three hours on a single procedural question: Who among more than 40 applicants would be granted "party status," a legal designation that allows residents to cross-examine witnesses, present evidence and ultimately sue to challenge the board of supervisors' final decision. Ten nearby residents represented by a shared attorney were quickly approved, while others — including residents from neighboring East Vincent Township who argued the cumulative impact of multiple nearby data centers affects them too — were largely denied after supervisors returned from a closed-door legal session. The hearing drew vocal opposition from a growing grassroots group, Prevent Limerick Data Center Development, which now has 1,800 Facebook members. The hearings are expected to stretch into August, with the next session scheduled for Monday, May 11, at Spring-Ford High School.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 4/16/2026