Daviess County Approves One-Year Moratorium on Data Center Applications
Daviess County Fiscal Court has approved a one-year moratorium on data center applications and permits, effective immediately. This pause will allow the county to draft new zoning regulations for data centers and study their potential community impact. While the moratorium applies to the county, city officials in Owensboro maintain separate zoning authority.
The Daviess County Fiscal Court in Kentucky has unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center applications and permits. The decision, which went into effect immediately, grants the county time to develop specific zoning regulations for the industry and assess its potential impact on the community.
Local resident Madeline Payne advocated for the moratorium before the vote, expressing concerns about data centers' water consumption and the potential for increased utility bills for local residents. Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen clarified that the ordinance does not restrict the city of Owensboro from pursuing data center projects, as the city operates under its own zoning authority. County Attorney John Burlew echoed this legal opinion, stating Owensboro has the power to regulate zoning within its city limits.
Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson previously stated his personal opposition to data centers as long as he is in office. Daviess County's action aligns with a growing trend among local governments, including Cave City, which recently enacted a similar one-year moratorium on data center projects.