Protesters call for more public input ahead of Bowling Green data center vote
Protesters gathered outside Bowling Green City Hall to demand more public input on proposed data center regulations, citing concerns about noise, utilities, and water use. The Bowling Green City Commission subsequently passed the new zoning ordinance but rejected a proposal for a six-month due diligence period to study potential impacts.
Protesters associated with SOKY Indivisible gathered outside Bowling Green City Hall to advocate for increased public involvement and extended review periods regarding new data center development regulations. Brenton Hippler, a volunteer, emphasized the importance of making residents' concerns visible, while Denise Zielenski expressed opposition to data centers and the perceived lack of community input.
Residents voiced worries about potential impacts such as noise, utility demands, and water usage, along with broader concerns about the city's approach to community engagement. The demonstration occurred ahead of a Bowling Green City Commission meeting where commissioners were slated to hear over four hours of public comment on a proposed data center ordinance.
The proposed ordinance aimed to establish new zoning standards for future data centers, covering aspects like setbacks, infrastructure capacity, cooling systems, backup generators, noise, and decommissioning. During the meeting, several residents urged commissioners to postpone action for further review.
Ultimately, the City Commission voted to approve the zoning ordinance, thereby adopting new restrictions for data center development. However, a separate proposal for a six-month due diligence period to study potential impacts more thoroughly was rejected.