Politics & Government

Planners Get Final Look At PPL Corp. Designs

Construction on 99,860 square foot data center and transmission site could begin in late September.

Construction on PPL Corp.'s 99,860 square foot data and IT planned for 7231 Windsor Dr. in Upper Macungie could begin in late September, project managers said Wednesday night.

The Upper Macungie Township Planning Commission accepted PPL Corp.'s submitted proposal  plans as final, paving the way for the facility's construction later this year in the Iron Run subdivision north of Interstate 78 near the intersection of Route 100.

"[PPL Corp.] did their homework on this," said Director of Community Development Bruce Wlazelek. "We've been working on this with them for some time. They submitted site plans, building plans and have discussed all of the issues."

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Company officials say the facility will be utilized as a data and operations center. It will house data/IT functions as well as distribution and transmission operations. Some 150 employees, including some currently working in South Whitehall Township, will eventually move into the facility.

Rob O'Donnell, manager of structural development and civil design for the Robert E. Lamb Inc. engineering firm of Valley Forge told planners construction on the could take up to 18 months to complete.

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In addition to the operations building, PPL Corp. proposes building a 1,300 square foot maintenance garage on the 11.848 acre site. The plan provides for 183 parking spaces for the approximately 150 employees who will staff the site 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

The site will also include a 120-foot high communications tower.

"This site fit the size of the building and we thought we could secure it," O'Donnell told planners. "It gives us the least amount of geological problems and we have utilities ready available to the site."

The plan was voted final by planners as a waiver, since a new Subdivision and and Land Development () ordinance will be voted on by township supervisors next month. The new SALDO eliminates the need for sketch plans and preliminary development plans to be seen by township planners.

Planners noted PPL Corp. has paid the boundary road upgrade, traffic impact and recreation fees.


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