Harrodsburg To Draft Data Center Moratorium

The Harrodsburg City Commission, at its August 10 meeting, unanimously approved a motion by Mayor Bob Williams to draft a data center moratorium. City Attorney Norrie Currens was tasked with preparing the moratorium, which is intended to be similar to one being enacted by the Mercer County Fiscal Court, though each governing body holds separate jurisdiction. The city's moratorium, if enacted, would remain in effect until a new zoning amendment is passed.

Separately, the Harrodsburg-Mercer County Joint Planning and Zoning Commission recently introduced a text amendment to existing zoning ordinances. This amendment proposes a new "Industrial Technology Zone" (I-T) designation specifically for "emerging technology uses requiring large physical footprints," such as hyperscale data centers. The I-T designation would also encompass necessary infrastructure like electricity substations and transmission lines.

The proposed amendment includes provisions holding developers responsible for the cost of new vehicles and firefighter training, and specifies that data center drainage would be treated as a waste stream. Violations of the ordinance could incur daily fines up to $25,000. Chief Administrative Officer Stacey Maynard confirmed that the planning and zoning commission has not yet formally submitted the amendment to the city government for its required two readings and enactment.