My name is Justin, and I’m a resident of Archbald working with others to protect our community from a zoning decision that puts residents at risk.

Borough Council is preparing to vote on a data center overlay that would open the door to large scale industrial development over top and adjacent to conservation and residential land without the proper location, protections, oversight, or transparency people here have repeatedly requested.

For months, residents have attended meetings, provided research, drafted solutions, and followed every proper process. We asked for collaboration and responsible planning. What we experienced instead was delay, deflection, and a process that has consistently favored developers over the people who live here.

Now the situation is urgent.

The overlay is being pushed forward despite:

• Major inconsistencies with the Borough’s zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan

• The Planning Commission never being given the resident-drafted alternative

• No requirement for independent environmental, water, or utility impact verification

• Residents being unable to fit into public meetings due to overflow

• Misrepresentation of what the amendment actually does and who it protects

If this overlay passes, developers gain immediate advantage. At that point, the only remaining way to defend the community is through legal action and that requires preparation now, not after the vote.

Why We’re Raising Funds

Residents need to retain a land-use attorney who can:

• Review the ordinance and the process behind it

• Advise the community on legal options

• Prepare any necessary filings

• Ensure residents’ rights are protected throughout this process

This also covers legal representation for the conditional use hearing process, including filings, appeals, responses, and any related legal action connected to data center development projects in Archbald and is not limited to a single proceeding, but the full scope of this fight as it unfolds.

The initial legal retainer is approximately $2,500. The full effort may require more depending on the direction the case takes.

How Funds Will Be Used

All contributions will go toward:

• Legal consultation and representation

• Conditional use hearing representation, filings, appeals, and responses related to any/all data center projects involving Archbald

• Filing fees and required documentation

• Ensuring the community has a fair and lawful path to challenge unsafe or improper zoning decisions

• Entity establishment fees, if counsel recommends

• Any expert analysis or testimony

Every donation helps. Whether it’s $10 or something larger, it moves us closer to securing the professional support we need at a critical moment.

About Me and How This Works

My name is Justin, and I’m a resident of Archbald and co-founder of this effort, organized publicly as Stop Archbald Data Centers. I’m not raising funds on behalf of a single beneficiary — this fund supports the collective legal defense of Archbald residents opposing the overlay, and reckless data center development, myself included as an affected resident.

Because we are an informal, unregistered residents’ group and not an incorporated entity at this time, I am personally managing these funds on the community’s behalf. All contributions are held in a dedicated account used exclusively for this effort, and I am the one directly engaging and paying our retained counsel and any experts. I do not draw any funds for personal use. Every dollar goes toward legal fees, filing costs, and related advocacy expenses as outlined above.