Upper Merion Township supervisors unanimously rejected Main Line developer Brian O'Neill's proposed nearly 5-million-square-foot AI data center campus split across five properties in the Swedeland section near King of Prussia, following months of resident opposition that included an 18,000-signature petition and packed meetings. The denial cited concerns about pollution, noise, electricity prices and quality of life, with the vote coming after a contentious two days in which O'Neill sued the township, claiming he was denied a fair extension and mistreated during the review process. He briefly won a court order halting the proceedings before a judge vacated it and let the board move forward. The three-hour meeting was marked by heated exchanges, accusations of "filibustering" from officials and of "intimidation" from O'Neill. The township's tax collector disputed O'Neill's claims that the project would generate 10,000 construction jobs and $55 million in annual local tax revenue. O'Neill can still appeal the denial and is simultaneously fighting a similar battle over a 2-million-square-foot data center proposal in nearby Plymouth Township.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 8/13/2026