Proposed rules would put major limits on data centers in Lexington. Here’s what’s in them
Lexington's planning staff has drafted new zoning rules to define and restrict data center operations, prohibiting major data centers across Fayette County and minor ones in agricultural zones. These proposed regulations, which also include conditional use requirements, follow the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council's unanimous vote to draft the rules and enact a moratorium on data center development until October 31. A public hearing is scheduled for July 30 with the Planning Commission.
Lexington's planning staff has released a 20-page draft zoning text amendment proposing significant new restrictions on data center development within Fayette County. The proposed rules would prohibit any data center from operating in agricultural zones and ban major data centers, defined as those larger than 50,000 square feet, from locating anywhere in Fayette County. Minor data centers (up to 50,000 sq ft) would face conditional use requirements in warehouse business and light industrial zones, and all data center infrastructure would be restricted from being within 1,000 feet of residential zones, agricultural zones outside the urban service boundary, schools, or daycare centers.
These draft regulations were initiated by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council on June 9, when it unanimously voted to have planning staff draft the rules. Concurrently, the Council enacted a moratorium on data center development in Lexington, pausing permits, development plans, and zone change requests until at least October 31. The Council also launched an online platform, Engage Lexington, to gather resident feedback on data centers.
The proposed amendment also defines data centers, distinguishing between major and minor facilities, and clarifies that server rooms are not considered data centers under these rules. The Planning Commission is set to hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning updates on July 30, before the amendment is sent to the Council for final review. The draft also includes stipulations on generator use, limiting it to backup purposes, and requirements for external ventilation and landscaping.