Burgin City Council votes to take next step on joining planning commission amid data center debate
The Burgin City Council took a split vote to join the local planning and zoning commission, a move intended to establish regulatory guardrails for a proposed data center development called Project Bluegrass. The annexation plan for the project was delayed after two council members left the meeting, preventing a quorum. Residents expressed concerns about the data center's water usage and celebrated the delayed annexation vote, vowing to continue their opposition.
The Burgin City Council in Mercer County, Kentucky, voted to join the local planning and zoning commission, a decision Mayor Joseph Monroe stated would establish regulatory guidelines for data centers. This move comes amid intense debate surrounding Project Bluegrass, a proposed data center development by Panattoni. The meeting saw a packed room of both supporters and opponents, with Panattoni representatives facing criticism from residents over their plans, particularly concerning water usage.
Mayor Monroe cast the tie-breaking vote for the measure, which now proceeds to a second reading, emphasizing the necessity of regulatory control before annexing property for such developments. However, a subsequent vote on the draft annexation plan was postponed due to a lack of quorum after two council members departed, citing affiliations and beliefs. Resident Judith Lunsford, who owns a nearby farm, expressed concerns about the data center's potential impact on her horses and celebrated the delayed annexation, but stressed that community engagement against the project must continue.
The development has faced scrutiny following an earlier, nullified attempt by the city to annex over 1,000 acres in July.