Data Center concerns spark countywide zoning discussions
Barren County, Kentucky officials are holding four town hall meetings to discuss implementing county-wide zoning, a move prompted by public outcry against a controversial data center proposed in Cave City. The county currently lacks zoning regulations to control data center development, and these meetings aim to inform citizens and gather feedback on potential future growth management. The discussions are spurred by a need for controlled growth and the ability to require information from developers.
Barren County, Kentucky officials are initiating a series of four town hall meetings throughout July and August to engage citizens in discussions about implementing county-wide zoning. This effort is a direct response to recent public opposition sparked by a proposed data center in Cave City, a project that highlighted Barren County's current lack of zoning regulations to manage or halt data center development. County Attorney Mike Richardson emphasized that while counties have limited power, zoning could enable them to require developers to provide information on planned projects, ensuring controlled growth.
Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd, Richardson, Planning and Zoning Director Kevin Myatt, and magistrates are slated to attend these meetings. Myatt noted that only about 46 of Kentucky's 120 counties have county-wide zoning, which, if adopted, would encompass all land parcels in Barren County while grandfathering in existing land uses. The discussions will cover the purpose and potential of zoning, aiming to clarify misconceptions and gather public input on future growth and development.
The push for zoning mirrors a similar controversy last year concerning solar energy, for which Barren County adopted an ordinance modeled after Breckinridge County's. However, Breckinridge's solar ordinance was recently overturned by an appellate court for lacking underlying land-use zoning, a decision expected to reach the Kentucky Supreme Court. This legal precedent underscores the complexities of regulating new industries without comprehensive zoning in place.
Citizens unable to attend the town halls can submit letters of support or concern at the county judge-executive's office in Glasgow. The first meetings are scheduled for July 14 at Temple Hill Elementary and July 21 at Austin Tracy Elementary, with more to follow.