Forward Township residents address data center zoning concerns, rowdiness at meeting
FORWARD TWP — While officials made it clear that no action or discussion about a proposed data center would take place at Thursday’s board of supervisors meeting, dozens of residents attended to voice their concerns.
Comments regarding the proposed Misty Hollow Data Center Project largely centered on lack of zoning in the township and what, if anything, community members can do to legally block construction of the center. The conduct of those at the Oct. 1 planning commission meeting was also addressed. Some criticized the perceived rowdiness of attendees, while others defended the emotionally charged residents.
Though there had been some talks in 2024 to implement zoning in the township, it never materialized. Some attendees at Thursday’s meeting criticized what they described as insufficient action to address the matter.
“We’re two and a half years later and we still don’t have zoning,” said resident Jamie Musulin.
Mel Musulin, a resident and former supervisor, said, although he understood new zoning ordinances wouldn’t apply to Misty Hollow anyway since initial approval is being sought before any regulations are in place, the board needs to act on it with consideration for the future.
“It's time to move on zoning and it's right now,” he said.
Another resident, Kim Hall, said zoning has been discussed in the township for a long time and has faced opposition from the community.
“There is a very strong feeling here that people do not want to be told what to do with their land and they show up and they voice their opinion about that,” Hall said. “You can't have it both ways.”
According to a manager’s report, talks to implement zoning in the municipality had been met with pushback from residents in attendance during a July 2024 meeting. Supervisors Chairwoman Susan Oliver-Stough said a committee was formed at the time to consider zoning.
“The committee did a rigorous job,” she said. “This went on for almost a year.”
The committee recommended implementing zoning and the matter went to the planning commission, but issues with the township’s Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance being outdated delayed the process.
Mark Wilson, a resident and former board chair, talked about the Oct. 1 planning commission meeting, noting Misty Hollow representatives were heckled and booed by a crowd of residents and visitors alike.
“Last week, for the first time, I was ashamed of Forward Township,” Wilson said. “Each of us has the right to free speech, but in my mind, with the right to have free speech comes responsibility. And the responsibility of free speech is to be civil.”
Wilson added he feels any anger at the board is misplaced. Supervisors have to adhere to state regulations and follow legal processes.
Resident Katie Gemperlein said, while she was taken aback by how rowdy the planning commission meeting had been, it mirrored the community’s anger.
The planning commission ultimately voted to table the data center proposal. The next chance for developers to present information is Oct. 22.
Tom Hartwig, township manager, said 16 deficiencies were reported by the township’s engineer. If those are not cleared by Oct. 22, the issue would roll over to November.
Although residents cannot play a direct role in introducing ordinances, Oliver-Stough encouraged attendees to reach out to township’s planning commission with ideas.
