JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
Columbia Borough Council has put the sale of former McGinness property on hold while officials look at drafting new regulations governing data centers, following community backlash. About 30 people attended the meeting, some of whom commented on the issue.
Council voted 7-0 at Tuesday’s meeting to table a second round of bids for the property, two weeks after unanimously rejecting the only offer received — a $6.35 million proposal from Saadia Holding LLC — during a contentious four-and-a-half hour meeting May 26. Council rejected the bid on procedural grounds, citing Saadia’s failure to guarantee payment within the required 60-day window. Council Vice President Heather Zink confirmed this week that Saadia’s proposal had included a data center.
Following a meandering discussion, officials decided to “table” the issue to allow them to work on a zoning ordinance amendment that would establish clearer rules for data centers in the light business zone covering the property. The amendment will be submitted to the Lancaster County Planning Commission following council’s June 23 meeting. One of the proposals being considered is a conditional-use requirement that would compel any developer seeking to build a data center in the zone to first obtain approval through a public hearing.
The borough’s total investment in the property now stands at $3.99 million, including $1.18 million from a state loan. The remaining roughly 17 acres of the original 58-acre parcel are designated to become a nature preserve.
Under state law, the borough may sell the property only through public auction, sealed bid, or transfer to a redevelopment authority. According to Evan Gabel, borough solicitor, if there are two rounds of no bids received, council would then be allowed to negotiate directly with prospective buyers.
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