Owensboro leaders read zoning amendment for Massie property
Owensboro city leaders held a first reading to rezone the 122-acre Massie Property from rural agricultural to light industrial, despite resident concerns about a potential AI data center. Officials deny plans for a data center and note a Daviess County moratorium is in place, but residents remain opposed to such development. The zoning change is expected to pass to facilitate industrial use.
The Owensboro Board of Commissioners conducted its first reading for a zoning amendment concerning the 122-acre Massie Property, which the city acquired last year for industrial development. The proposed change would reclassify the land from rural agricultural to light industrial, designated as I-1. Mayor Pro Tem Bob Glenn indicated that the amendment is likely to pass, stating it is necessary to qualify the land for its intended purpose of providing additional industrial space, as the city's current industrial park, MidAmerica Airpark, is nearing capacity.
This action follows a previous failed motion to rezone the property for heavy industry (I-2). Despite official denials, numerous residents expressed apprehension during the meeting, suspecting the city intends to build an AI data center on the site. One resident conveyed the majority sentiment, asserting, "it is the majority of people that say no data center."
City officials maintained that the land is unsuitable for a data center and confirmed that a Daviess County moratorium currently prevents data center construction. Glenn pledged transparency, assuring the public that all developments would be publicly discussed and that no non-disclosure agreements were in place for city commissioners. No vote was taken during this initial reading.