Bowling Green rejects data center pause, advances regulations after lengthy debate

The Bowling Green City Commission recently voted against a proposal for a six-month moratorium on data center development applications. The measure, Municipal Order 2026-134, which aimed to create a due diligence period for data center-related applications, was rejected in a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Dana Beasley Brown and Carlos Bailey supported the pause, citing the need for more time to study potential impacts on local ratepayers, utility capacity, and infrastructure.

Opponents, including Mayor Todd Alcott and Commissioners Sue Parrigin and Melinda Hill, argued that the city's experienced economic development professionals were already reviewing projects and that a moratorium could deter future business. They highlighted successful past developments like the Kentucky Transpark as examples of the city's ability to evaluate major projects.

Following the rejection of the moratorium, the commission unanimously gave first-reading approval to Ordinance BG2026-6, a significant amendment to the city's zoning code. This ordinance will create "Data Center" as a new land-use category and establish specific use standards. The proposed regulations include strict setback requirements (500 feet from property lines, 1,500 feet from residential, agricultural, and commercial uses, and 1,500 feet from schools, churches, hospitals, and nursing homes), even greater for exhaust stacks. It also mandates that applicants demonstrate sufficient electric, water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure without negatively affecting existing customers, requiring utility upgrades to be paid for by the data centers. The ordinance also includes requirements for closed-loop cooling systems, detailed water management plans, and decommissioning plans with financial assurances. The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading and final consideration on June 16.