Transparency?
The developer is claiming transparency with a timeline of their own, but they got a few things wrong, so we’ve fixed it for them 👍
A lot of misinformation is intentionally being distributed about PAX-1. The developers of PAX-1 went through a rigorous application, approval, review and inclusion process. Residents of Middlesex Township deserve clear, accurate information based on verified facts.
Amen!
We couldn't agree more! You've set the bar high, right where it should be.
As PAX-1 developers made their first public data center presentation on Oct. 24, 2024 (see timeline), Middlesex Township had been in the process of drafting a comprehensive zoning ordinance for several months. It included zoning modifications and updates for the entire Township.
Years, not months.
The township had been working on the new ordinance for two years before the developer appeared. They had already drafted and reviewed the new ordinance twice. It seems unlikely anyone was expecting a big pivot this late in the game.
A Timeline of Transparency
Six Months of Public Presentations, Engagement, and Reviews Before PAX-1 Developers Submitted an Application
Public does not
guarantee
transparent.
guarantee
transparent.
transparent adjective
afree from pretense or deceit : frank
beasily detected or seen through : obvious
creadily understood
dcharacterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices
Merriam-Webster
Oct 24 25
Data center presentation and public discussion with Middlesex Board of Supervisors.
Nov 24 25
Data center presentation and public discussion with Middlesex Planning Commission.
Semi-public, but
not transparent.
not transparent.
These first two dates are wrong 🤭
The meetings were on the 25th.
The meetings were on the 25th.
The first agenda called it possible use of the PennTerra property. Nothing about data centers.
The second agenda didn't list it at all. It came up during public comment, near the end. Neither residents nor commissioners knew it was coming.
Nov 24
Data center presentation and public discussion with Middlesex Planning Commission.
A few minor details they forgot to add…
Dec 4
The developer's attorney sent the township a fully drafted data center overlay. The township incorporated it into the draft zoning ordinance.
Email, developer's attorney to the township, Dec. 4, 2024. Obtained by Right-to-Know.
Jan 31
At their meeting, the supervisors directed that data centers be allowed by right on the developer's site and in the industrial districts. We know from an email. The meeting minutes don't mention it.
Township email, Jan. 31, 2025. Obtained by Right-to-Know. BOS minutes, Jan. 31, 2025.
Feb 24
Data center ordinance and public discussion with Middlesex Planning Commission.
Feb 24
March 10
March 24
Data center ordinance and public discussion with Middlesex Planning Commission.
Business as usual.
“Discussion and Possible Action on Review of Draft Zoning Ordinance and Draft Zoning Map”
Planning Commission agenda item TPF 22-18, meeting after meeting since 2024
These three meetings were the township continuing to review the draft zoning ordinance, as they had been doing for over a year. The agenda said exactly that and only that.
They only appear on the developer's timeline because their overlay was now sitting inside the few-hundred-page draft. The public was never told it had been added.
The minutes don't even record the planning commission being told. “Data center” appears in none of these agendas and none of these minutes.
March 24
Data center ordinance and public discussion with Middlesex Planning Commission.
Apr 16
“For belts and suspenders, we are going to submit a request for an amendment to the current zoning ordinance.”
Email, developer's attorney to the township, Apr. 16, 2025, 8:05 AM. Obtained by Right-to-Know.
April 23
Data center zoning amendment application submitted to Middlesex Township.
A rush for power.
Realizing the new ordinance may not be enacted soon enough, the developer chose to amend our existing 1989 zoning ordinance instead.
One week later, the application was in. It says the availability of power for the project is jeopardized without a quick zoning change.
April 25
Data center presentation and public discussion; request to process zoning amendment application with Middlesex Board of Supervisors.
Finally
on the agenda.
on the agenda.
The first time data center appears on any township agenda. The first time in five months it appears in the minutes.
Courtney explained they needed a quick zoning change to secure power from PPL and asked for the vote to be held May 30. The supervisors voted to advertise the hearing. There was no public comment.
Up to this point, with the data center overlay 35 days from becoming law, the only public notice residents had gotten was a possible use of the PennTerra property agenda item six months earlier.
April 25
Data center presentation and public discussion; request to process zoning amendment application with Middlesex Board of Supervisors.
May 12
The commission was told the supervisors were in favor, and that the developer needed it in place to reserve power.
Planning Commission minutes, May 12, 2025.
May 15
The county recommended waiting for the new ordinance and updating the comprehensive plan.
The township didn't wait.
Cumberland County Planning review, May 15, 2025.
May 27
Data center presentation and public discussion; Middlesex Planning Commission unanimously votes to recommend adoption of data center zoning amendment to Middlesex Board of Supervisors.
May 27
Data center presentation and public discussion; Middlesex Planning Commission unanimously votes to recommend adoption of data center zoning amendment to Middlesex Board of Supervisors.
Who's the
developer?
developer?
“Application of KMWW Partnership for Zoning Ordinance Map and Text Amendments to establish a Data Center Overlay District on properties at 246, 248, 250 and 256 Country Club Road”
Planning Commission agenda, May 27, 2025
Data center is finally mentioned, but not the developer. Only the landowner.
The commission voted unanimously to recommend it. There was no public comment. The whole meeting took 29 minutes.
May 30
Data center presentation and public discussion; Middlesex Board of Supervisors unanimously votes to adopt data center zoning amendment.
Their draft
becomes law.
becomes law.
“It is not like this amendment is something submitted by my client and the Township is adopting it. The township's planning consultant in connection with Cumberland County Planning Department developed these standards.”
Charles Courtney, the developer's attorney, to the supervisors at the May 30, 2025 hearing (BOS minutes)
That is what the developer's attorney told the supervisors the morning they voted. The township made edits, but about 80 percent of the overlay that became law is word for word from the draft his own email delivered five months earlier.
Residents asked for more time to consider the repercussions. The township voted to approve it anyway. 35 days from request to law.
May 7 – Sept 3
Multiple public meetings about the new ordinance regarding the data center.
Aug 18
PAX-1 files its first land development plans under the new overlay.
Middlesex Township land development filings, Aug. 18, 2025.
Sept 3
Public discussion; Middlesex Board of Supervisors unanimously votes to codify new ordinance.
It's too late.
Their last two timeline items almost don't matter. The fox was already in the hen house.
Residents spoke up at these meetings, but the overlay had been law since May 30 and the first plans were already filed under it.
Sept 3
Public discussion; Middlesex Board of Supervisors unanimously votes to codify new ordinance.
Sept 9
The developer holds its first public meeting for residents at the Carlisle Sports Emporium.
Public outreach event hosted by Pennsylvania Data Center Partners and PowerHouse, Sept. 9, 2025.
Finally “transparent”
This was the first time the developer stood in front of residents and explained what they were building.
By then, the laws allowing them to build had already been written and enacted.
There was no risk in telling the public now. There was nothing residents could do about it.
So, was it transparent?
transparent adjective
dcharacterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices
Merriam-Webster
- The first two dates are wrong. Neither meeting was on an agenda as a data center.
- Their attorney emailed the township a fully drafted overlay. The supervisors directed it be allowed by right on the developer's site. None of that is on their timeline or in the minutes.
- The three “data center discussions” were routine reviews of the draft ordinance. “Data center” appears in none of those agendas or minutes.
- It took six months for “data center” to appear on an agenda, and by then, the data center overlay was 35 days away from becoming law.
- Their first actual meeting for residents came after the overlay had been enacted twice and plans were under way. By then, nothing could be done about it.
Some of it was public,
but it was definitely
not transparent.
but it was definitely
not transparent.
See the facts
for yourself.
Their page gives you nothing to check. No documents, no links, no sources. Every entry on ours links to its source.
Even if you're not against 16 hyperscale data centers on farmland surrounded by homes, this sequence of events should alarm you.
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