Developer Withdraws Applications For Upper Merion Data Center Cluster

UPPER MERION, PA — The developers proposing a massive data center cluster in King of Prussia have withdrawn their applications, officials confirmed Monday, striking a major victory for the bipartisan coalition of opponents to the plan.

The applications for seven artificial intelligence data centers, comprising a 4 million square foot footprint larger than Philadelphia International Airport, were already rejected over the summer. But MLP Ventures and developer Brian O'Neill had filed a series of appeals that were set to be addressed at an Upper Merion Township zoning hearing board this Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Now, with the withdrawal of the applications, that meeting is canceled.

Related: Controversial Data Center 'Cluster' In King Of Prussia Rejected

Advocacy group Upper Merion Against Data Centers says that O'Neill is still suing the township, so the case is not dead. Litigation remains pending, but details of how the cases will proceed in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas remain unclear.

The cluster of proposed data centers included four on 2201, 2301, 2501, 2701, and 2901 Renaissance Boulevard, one on 3200 Horizon Drive, and one on 411 Swedeland Road.

Township officials said last week that they needed more finances allocated to future legal defense, arguing that developers come with high powered lawyers.