Plymouth Township announced on May 1st that it has received an application to develop a data center at the former steel plant at 900 Conshohocken Road in Conshohocken (Plymouth Township). The application seeks a special exception to allow a data center within the Heavily Industrial Zoning District. According to the announcement, the applicant is an entity associated with developer Brian O’Neill.
O’Neill previously submitted an application in 2025 but withdrew it after a disagreement with the property owner, Cleveland Cliffs, which owned and operated the steel plant. During that process, the township’s planning commission voted against recommending a special exception to the zoning hearing board.
In the township’s announcement, it was stated about the Heavy Industrial Zoning District and special exceptions:
The property is in the Heavy Industrial (HI) Zoning District. While many industrial uses are permitted by right, the Zoning Ordinance allows similar uses to be considered by the ZHB as a special exception. The applicant is requesting approval under this provision, which requires the ZHB to determine whether the proposed use meets the ordinance’s standards and intent.
Under Pennsylvania law, a special exception is not automatic; the applicant must demonstrate compliance with specific criteria. The ZHB, acting as a quasi-judicial body, will evaluate evidence and testimony before rendering a decision.
State law requires that a zoning hearing be held within 60 days of the application’s submission. The township emphasized in the announcement that it “intends to use the full timeframe to ensure proper notice, thorough preparation, and accommodation of anticipated public interest. A special ZHB [zoning hearing board] meeting will be scheduled and publicly advertised.”
During the prior application process, there were significant questions and pushback from residents, especially those who live across Conshohocken Road in the Connaughton neighborhood. Concerns were about the impact on energy costs and the Schuylkill River, as well as noise and pollution from the facility and its generators.
In preparing for the reemergence of this opposition, in the announcement, the township stated:
Township officials recognize the strong public interest in this proposal. Township Council remains focused on protecting the health, safety, and welfare of residents while carefully evaluating the application. The Township is committed to a transparent, fair, and legally compliant process. While this project will have implications for the township, we recognize that its impacts may be more pronounced for residents nearest to the facility, and we are working to mitigate those effects.
The application was not made available with the announcement (which is a choice by the township; several other municipalities post them when they are received), so MoreThanTheCurve.com will file a right-to-know to compare it to the previous application (this could take at least five business days).
You can read the full announcement from the township here. More to come.