As Trenton pursues 600-acre annexation, neighboring residents worry about future data center development
Trenton, Ohio, is pursuing a 600-acre annexation from Madison and St. Clair townships, potentially for future data center development, which has raised concerns among residents about water supply and infrastructure. The annexation would move the land from county to city jurisdiction, circumventing a recently enacted Butler County moratorium on new data centers. An opposition group, W.A.T.E.R., is actively petitioning for a county charter amendment to ban data centers, citing concerns over water consumption, noise, and quality of life, while the Trenton City Council also considered tax abatements for an existing Prologis data center project.
The City of Trenton, Ohio, is seeking to annex approximately 600 acres from Madison and St. Clair townships, a move that has sparked concern among local residents who fear the land could be used for additional data center developments. This Type 3 annexation, available for significant economic projects under Ohio law, would shift jurisdiction from the county to Trenton, thereby circumventing a recently enacted six-month moratorium on new data center development in areas under Butler County zoning control, including Madison Township. Butler County Commissioner Don Dixon stated the county sought more time to understand data center impacts on infrastructure.
Residents like Gary and Karen Embry, who live next to the proposed annexation site, voiced concerns about their well running dry and the general impact on their community, advocating for residents' interests over economic progress. The local opposition group, Woodsdale and Trenton Environmental Resistance (W.A.T.E.R.), is actively circulating a petition to amend the county charter to ban data centers in Butler County, citing issues such as water consumption, noise, and quality of life.
Trenton city officials, including Finance Director Matthew Mesisklis, argue the annexation would provide greater control over future development, allowing the city to mandate connections to public utilities for projects like data centers. They also highlight potential long-term economic benefits, including increased tax revenue and infrastructure investment. Separately, at their June 18 meeting, Trenton City Council members considered granting a 75%, 15-year property tax abatement for four proposed buildings of an existing Prologis data center project south of Kennel Road, which is projected to generate significant revenue for city infrastructure and the Edgewood School District.