Murray City Council plans to hear first reading of data center ordinance next week
The Murray City Council approved a one-week moratorium on data center permit applications to allow time for the Planning Commission to finalize a proposed ordinance. This ordinance, aimed at regulating data centers, will have its first reading at a special council meeting next week. The city is proactively developing these regulations despite not having received any data center proposals yet.
The Murray City Council, spurred by a heavily attended public hearing held earlier in the week by the Murray Planning Commission, voted Thursday to implement a one-week moratorium on data center permit applications. This temporary halt is intended to provide the Planning Commission adequate time to review public comments and refine a proposed data center ordinance before it undergoes a first reading by the Council next week.
Mayor Bob Rogers stated that the city proactively initiated the drafting of a data center ordinance, even without any specific development proposals in Murray. The ordinance, which originated from a model developed by the Kentucky Resources Council and was further adapted by city staff, aims to establish regulations for potential future data center developments. Councilman Wesley Bolin defended the ordinance development, highlighting the environmental advocacy background of the Kentucky Resources Council and affirming that city planning staff further strengthened the proposal to safeguard local interests and the environment.
The Planning Commission had previously voted to delay its recommendation to the Council to incorporate public feedback. Mayor Rogers emphasized the need for a swift review period to avoid a prolonged absence of formal data center regulations. The Council's unanimous resolution directs the Planning Commission to discuss the ordinance at its regular June 16 meeting and forward its recommendations, with a special Council meeting slated for June 18 to hear the ordinance's initial reading.