HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Some 30 people spoke at a three-hour Oct. 27 Hagerstown City Council meeting, most of them opposing the annexation of land many feel is being planned for a data center. The annexation decision now is held over until Nov. 10.
At the Oct. 27th meeting most voiced concerns about, not just the possible data center development, but also water supply, environmental effects and elected leader transparency.
The proposal covers two properties totaling 171.88 acres at 12440 Burkholder Lane and 12660 McDade Road. The applicant wants to bring these properties into the city and change their zoning from Washington County’s planned industrial to Hagerstown’s industrial mixed-use classification.
City planning officials stressed that the hearing was about annexation and zoning, not about approving any specific development project.
Still, residents wondered if annexation could lead to building a data center and if the public had enough information about how the land might be used in the future.
Annexation proposal and zoning
The annexation petition was submitted on July 1. The City Council first introduced the resolution and approved the annexation plan on Aug. 25.
The properties are located within a larger industrially zoned area of Washington County.
If approved, Hagerstown would take on municipal responsibilities for the properties, including public safety services. Roads maintained by the county or state would not automatically become the city’s responsibility.
The hearing also included discussion of water and wastewater services.
One property is within Hagerstown’s medium-range growth area, but the other is not. City officials said that providing water to the second property would require adding it to the growth area or making an exception to current annexation policy.
Wastewater service would come from the joint sewer service area.
The Maryland Department of Planning found that the proposed city zoning is not much different from the current county industrial zoning. This means the Washington County Board of Commissioners does not need to approve it separately.
Washington County planning officials also said the proposed city zoning seems to match or be less intense than the current industrial designation.
The Hagerstown Planning Commission recommended approving the annexation plan and zoning request.
Residents raise concerns about data centers
City officials said no specific development was under consideration at the hearing, but much of the public testimony focused on the possibility of building a data center on the properties.
Residents asked how a facility like this could affect water supply, electrical systems, noise, nearby property values and the environment.
Several speakers also said they were frustrated by what they saw as a lack of transparency in talks between local officials and developers.
One speaker claimed that Hagerstown officials met privately with Diversified Capital in December 2025 and asked if a nondisclosure agreement kept residents from learning more about possible development plans.
These claims came up during public testimony but were not independently confirmed at the hearing.
Other residents wondered if city officials should wait to annex the properties until they know how the land will be developed.
Garrett Pitts, who lives near the proposed development, said he was concerned about protecting the value of nearby homes.
Pitts mentioned a September report that listed a data center as one possible use for the property, though no final decision had been made.
Speakers also asked if the current electrical system could handle a large industrial facility and if new utility upgrades would raise costs for nearby communities.
One resident asked for a temporary pause of at least two years on new data center applications, saying the city needs more time to study possible effects on water use, noise and public health.
Business community voices support
Some people who spoke to the council supported annexation.
Paul Frey of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce spoke in favor of the Burkholder Lane and McDade Road proposal.
Supporters highlighted the economic opportunities that industrial investment could bring, such as construction jobs, more business activity and possible long-term growth.
A speaker from organized labor asked council members to consider jobs for skilled trades workers who could help build future industrial facilities.
The speaker said that turning down development could send projects to other states, taking construction jobs and economic benefits away from Washington County.
Supporters also pointed out that the county has already zoned the properties for industrial use.
Questions remain about future development
A main issue during the hearing was the difference between annexation and approving a specific development.
Annexation would put the properties under Hagerstown’s control, but it would not automatically allow a data center or any other specific industrial facility.
Any future development would still have to meet zoning, planning, permitting and infrastructure rules.
Still, residents argued that annexation could affect what kinds of projects might happen and which government would make future development decisions.
The discussion also brought up bigger questions about how Washington County and Hagerstown will work together as they plan for future industrial development.
Council to revisit proposal in November
If the annexation is approved on Nov. 10, it would take effect 45 days later.
With the decision still pending, residents, developers and local officials have questions about future land use, utility capacity and the possible economic and environmental effects of industrial growth.
For residents at the hearing, the main concern was not just city boundaries, but what might eventually be built on the land.
