Continuing tensions marked the latest developments in Springdale, where the planning commission has once again postponed making a recommendation on the proposed artificial intelligence data center, slated for the site of the former Cheswick power plant. Extending the timeline, the commission cited the need for additional studies and community input, pushing the decision back to at least October 27, as reported by CBS News Pittsburgh.
The planning board's position allows time for an independent noise study, slated for completion on October 14th. This comes after residents voiced their concerns, with some explicitly rejecting the idea of the data center. "We don’t want it here," Sharon Spirk told WTAE. "Tell them to take it somewhere else. Listen to people that are in your community." While others, like John Murray, have expressed a desire for more information: "What I am 100% sure of, it’s not right to just shove it down the residents’ throats." Noise pollution is among the concerns, and residents seem resolved to get to the bottom of how the data center may impact them.
Previous assurances by developers, claiming the data center would align with local standards for noise and air quality, seemed to do little to quell community skepticism. During a public meeting, one resident's address to the podium highlighted this sentiment: "I'm listening to you say 'our health expert, our noise expert.' Where's our expert and our noise expert that can contradict what you say, that can give us a fair shot?" This was documented by CBS News Pittsburgh, capturing the prevailing mood of the meeting.
There appears to be a rising demand for independent assessment of the developers' claims. A planning board member revealed post-meeting discussions, stating a hope to have their own expert review the developer's noise measurements. In parallel, the borough council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on October 16, during which developers will present their studies ahead of the planning commission's gathering on October 27. Although the council could vote on the proposal, the likelihood of such an occurrence seems slim prior to the planning board making its recommendation. The council's decision deadline to meet state standards is November 26.
