ALLENTOWN DATA CENTER RECAP

Timeline of Events (Last Updated 9/4/2026)

The Allentown Environmental Advisory Council (AEAC) and the City of Allentown have worked closely together to thoughtfully evaluate and address the potential impacts of data center development in our community. Contact AEAC Chair Kyle Ropski with any questions or concerns AtownEAC@gmail.com. 

In January of 2026, representatives from the City of Allentown Bureau of Planning and Zoning joined the AEAC meeting and presented the concept for a data center zoning ordinance and discussed potential regulations related to energy use, air quality, noise, water consumption, and environmental impacts.

In February of 2026, the AEAC provided a letter of comments and recommendations to the Administration. You can read that letter here. 

In March of 2026, the AEAC provided a letter of support on a proposed amendment to the zoning code with Bill 20 - Data Center Use. You can read that letter here. 

In April and May 2026, the proposed amendment underwent several procedural reviews, including reviews by the Allentown City Planning Commission (ACPC), the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC), and the Allentown City Council Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee. All of which passed the legislation on favorably. 

On June 1, 2026, the AEAC held a public meeting with representatives from the City's Planning and Zoning Bureau to discuss proposed data center regulations in Bill 20 and explain planning and zoning processes. The AEAC also took public comment and review on a letter to be provided to the ACPC regarding the proposed Data Center at 2401 Emaus Ave. You can read that letter here. 

On June 3, 2026, the Allentown City Council held a public hearing on Bill 20 - Data Center Use. At the City Council meeting following this public hearing, the Council voted to table the vote on the bill and ordered a Legal Service Request (LSR) to be completed to advise on available options. 

On June 5, 2026, it was announced that the previously scheduled discussion at the Allentown City Planning Commission meeting on the proposed Data Center at 2401 Emaus Ave was to be rescheduled. 

On June 17, 2026, the Allentown City Council voted 4-2 for the passage of Bill 20 - Data Center Use. 

On June 22, 2026, the AEAC held a public meeting to draft a letter to address priorities and potential amendments to the City of Allentown’s Zoning Ordinance that relate to Data Center Use. You can read that letter here.

On June 24, 2026, the Allentown City Council held a special meeting where additional amendments to the zoning code were introduced through Bill 52 - Data Center Use. This Bill was referred to Allentown and Lehigh Valley Planning Commissions, and the Community and Economic Development Committee.

On July 14th, 2026, at 12:15 pm Bill 52 on Data Center Use was reviewed by the ACPC and they unanimously voted to forward the bill favorably to City Council.

On July 15th, 2026, the Allentown City Council held a standard meeting and introduced Bill 56. This Bill is intended to address the full spectrum of sound for continuously operating noise sources and to also provide independent verification of noise sources. 

On July 16th, 2026, the ACPC held a special meeting to review the proposed Data Center at 2401 Emaus Ave. 

On July 22nd, 2026, the Allentown City Council CED Committee met to discuss Bill 56 and voted to move Bill 56 forward to the regular City Council meeting.

On August 5th, 2026, the Allentown City Council  held a public hearing on Bill 52. At the City Council meeting following this public hearing, the Council voted to pass both Bill 52 and Bill 56. 

On August 20th, 2026, it was reported by Lindsay Weber at the Morning Call that Developer J.G. Petrucci on Aug. 5 applied to construct a 146,000-square-foot data center at 1024 N. Bradford St.

On August 24th, the AEAC held a regular meeting where an update on the AEAC summer intern's report was provided. This report provides a chronological account of the City of Allentown’s actions related to data center legislation up to August 5th, 2026. It also details recommendations for future amendments and ways to improve the City of Allentown’s transparency and communication. You can read that report here. 

On August 31st, 2026, the City of Allentown Zoning Hearing Board was to hold a hearing on the 2401 W Emaus Ave Appeal of Camelot for Children Inc., et al, from the Zoning Officer’s 10/16/2025 Determination of Use that a DATA CENTER could be treated as a PERMITTED BY-RIGHT use in the General Industrial (I-3) Zoning District. This hearing has been postponed and a new date has not been announced. 

On September 8th, 2026, the ACPC will hold a meeting to review the re-submitted plans for a proposed Data Center at 2401 Emaus Ave.