Springdale planners cite noise study as commission delays vote on data center

A decision from Springdale’s Planning Commission about a proposed data center in the borough is still weeks away.

Initially set to reconvene Monday night, the commission opted for a last-minute delay. The three-member body will now meet on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

This is the third delay from the commission, which vets projects before council makes a final decision.

The decision to delay was made because borough officials and attorneys for developers and opposing counsel each sought more time, said Brian Regli, a consultant for property developer Allegheny DC Property Co.

At least one of the reasons the commission sought an extension is to review a forthcoming noise study, according to Springdale Manager Terry Carcella.

Though Allegheny DC performed its own noise study, Carcella said the borough has commissioned an independent acoustic assessment from Fayette County-based Thornton Acoustics and Vibrations.

The commission should have the results of the study on Nov. 7, he said.

Developers have waived the commission’s original 60-day decision deadline as well as a 90-day deadline for Springdale Council to vote on its conditional use application.

Council is set to reconvene at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 24. to continue hearing testimony from experts.

Though council’s first two-hour hearing only saw testimony from two of at least eight witnesses, Carcella said he’s hoping to conclude the hearings in a final push next month.