Lexington’s proposed new rules for data centers take another step forward
Lexington, Kentucky is advancing new zoning regulations for data centers, which include limits on size, power consumption, noise, and require various studies. The proposed amendment, which has seen public input and council member scrutiny regarding equity, is moving towards a public comment period and a potential council vote. This initiative follows the Lexington council's enactment of a data center moratorium until at least October 31st.
Lexington, Kentucky is moving closer to finalizing new rules for data center developments. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County General Government & Planning Committee recently reviewed an updated zoning ordinance text amendment, which had previously been approved with several changes by the Planning Commission after an almost six-hour public hearing where over 40 people spoke.
The proposed amendment introduces significant restrictions, including prohibiting data center facilities larger than 40,000 square feet and limiting energy consumption to 25 megawatts in any Fayette County zone. It also increases buffer requirements from 1,000 to 1,500 feet, reduces allowable noise levels to 30 decibels near residential zones, and mandates additional studies for stormwater management, energy efficiency, water quality, utilization, and decommissioning from developers. Commerce Lexington successfully advocated for the removal of size restrictions on server room definitions.
Council members, including District 1 Council Member Tyler Morton, raised concerns about the equity implications of the proposed zoning, noting that I-1 and B-4 zones, where these changes are concentrated, are often in historically disinvested and undervalued communities on the city's northside. Morton also questioned why the amendment requires demonstrating appropriate utility capacity at the facility but lacks a requirement for written verification that existing infrastructure can serve the facility without adversely affecting current customers, a standard included in an executive order by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
The city council had initiated the amendment process in June after a report on DartPoints purchasing a former Lexmark property for a data center repurposing. Concurrently, the council enacted a local moratorium on data center development, pausing permitting and zone change requests until at least October 31st. A special council meeting is scheduled for October 6th to receive further public comment and potentially vote on the zoning ordinance text amendment.