Data center developers have cleared the last hurdle before a formal council vote after the Springdale Zoning Hearing Board approved six variance requests from Allegheny DC Property Co.
The variances allow the center to stand at 75 feet high with more than 100 diesel generators on its roof and its perimeter fence to rise to 8 feet. Normal borough restrictions only allow buildings with rooftop equipment to rise to 60 feet and fences to 7 feet.
Variances are requested by land owners when site plans require exceptions to a municipality’s normal zoning ordinances.
Opponents of the project, including local environmental organizers, previously cited a rejection of the variances as the best route to disrupt developers’ plans.
In addition to height exceptions, the zoning hearing board’s decision allows for more modest parking and loading dock requirements at the site.
The board convened on Oct. 22 for several hours of testimony from site designers and experts, who were also cross-examined by attorney Tom Kloehn. Kloehn represented Springdale resident Mitch Karaica, who objected to the variances.
Karaica withdrew his objector status last month. He and Kloehn are no longer involved in the process.
Kloehn did not immediately reply to a TribLive request for comment.
The zoning hearing board’s decision came with conditions. The board said developers must construct the center so that the structure’s tallest portions are stepped back toward the center of the building to preserve sightlines.
Any future changes to electric or computing capacity at the center would also have to be announced in advance and approved by a borough zoning officer, the decision said.
It also advised developers to use the Allegheny River whenever possible for construction transport and deliveries.
Brian Regli, a consultant for Allegheny DC who has served as its main spokesman, said the decision gives him more confidence as the final vote approaches.
“We’re very excited,” he said. “We’re very happy this was approved.”
Still, Regli said, even if council approves the project, there’s plenty of work to come.
He said the process isn’t complete until the lights are on and computers are functioning, something he previously said could take 2½ to 3½ years.
“Doing the thing is different from simply discussing the thing,” Regli said.
While the decision might indicate some support for the project from local officials, the center still remains highly unpopular among residents and those in surrounding communities, according to Gillian Graber.
Graber is executive director of environmental group Protect PT, which was formed in the Westmoreland County communities of Penn Township and Trafford, to oppose drilling operations there before expanding throughout the region to weigh in on sensitive environmental projects. It has hosted two community meetings to rally opposition to the center.
“The zoning hearing board did not follow their own ordinance for these variances, and that’s a very slippery slope,” she said.
Graber said she hopes council will ultimately consider the views of their constituents before the vote.
That vote is set to take place at borough council’s meeting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 16.
Environmental groups and residents plan to gather that day outside the Springdale Borough Building for a rally and news conference before the vote.