Bowling Green City Commission Rejects Data Center Moratorium, Advances Zoning Regulations
The Bowling Green City Commission rejected a proposal for a six-month moratorium on data center applications. Instead, the commission unanimously passed the first reading of a new ordinance to establish specific zoning regulations for data centers. The new regulations aim to provide clear guidelines where none previously existed.
The Bowling Green City Commission recently held a lengthy discussion regarding a proposed six-month pause on data center applications and related zoning changes, permits, and site plans. Municipal Order 2026-134, termed a "due diligence" period, aimed to allow city officials to study potential impacts on utilities, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and economic development.
Supporters of the pause, including Commissioners Carlos Bailey and Dana Beasley Brown, argued it was a necessary "learning period" to protect taxpayers and utility customers, emphasizing the need for public review and expert testimony. However, Mayor Todd Alcott and Commissioners Sue Parrigin and Melinda Hill opposed the moratorium, stating it would send a negative message to businesses and cause Bowling Green to miss economic opportunities. They expressed confidence in existing professional teams at planning and zoning, the Chamber of Commerce, and BGMU to review projects carefully. The proposal to enact a six-month moratorium ultimately failed with a 3-2 vote.
Following the rejection of the moratorium, the commission proceeded to vote on Ordinance BG 2026-6, which seeks to amend the zoning ordinance to incorporate specific regulations for data centers and related uses. Planning and zoning official Ben Peterson noted that currently, data centers can be interpreted as allowed in light or heavy industrial zones due to a lack of specific standards. The proposed ordinance would introduce new standards, making data centers one of the most restricted uses under the zoning code.
Commissioner Beasley Brown's amendment, which would have required data centers in heavy industrial zones to undergo a conditional use permit process, also failed by a 3-2 vote. Despite this, the main zoning ordinance for data centers passed unanimously on its first reading, 5-0. While the ordinance still requires a second reading for final adoption, commissioners indicated strong support for the new regulations, which are intended to provide comprehensive protections for ratepayers and the community.