Town of Burgin weighs annexing 500 acres amid data center concerns
Burgin city leaders are considering annexing over 500 acres of Mercer County farmland, a move that could allow data center development to circumvent stricter county regulations. The Burgin City Council passed the first reading of the annexation ordinance in a 3-2 vote, with a second reading scheduled for July 20, amidst significant resident opposition.
Burgin city leaders are actively pursuing the annexation of more than 500 acres of farmland in Mercer County, Kentucky. This action, if finalized, would pave the way for data center development in the area by allowing developers to potentially bypass the stricter regulations recently drafted by Mercer County.
The Burgin City Council passed the first reading of the annexation ordinance on July 9 with a 3-2 vote. The proposed annexation would significantly expand Burgin's city limits, effectively doubling the size of the town. Council members Melinda Wofford and Sindicat Dunn voted against the ordinance, citing a lack of review time for Wofford and representing residents' widespread opposition for Dunn. Many residents, including Bob Rennier, who previously worked in planning and zoning, have expressed concerns about the process, describing it as "shoestring annexation" aimed at making non-contiguous parcels contiguous.
Billy Rankin, president and CEO of Shaker Village, located near the proposed site, highlighted that Burgin currently lacks formal planning and zoning regulations, which would offer developers fewer restrictions compared to the county's new rules. He noted significant community resistance, evidenced by "no data center signs" throughout Mercer County. However, Council member Scott McCoy, who voted in favor, stated that the city intends to create a developers' agreement to ensure community input before any project approval. The second reading of the annexation ordinance is scheduled for July 20.