Barren townhall series on zoning opens at Temple Hill
Barren County, Kentucky, is holding town hall meetings to discuss a potential countywide zoning ordinance, drawing significant public opposition to a prospective data center in Cave City. The Cave City council previously enacted a one-year moratorium on data center applications, which is now being challenged in court by the developer, Kentucky Industrial Alliance. Residents are concerned about the impact on the area's rural character and agricultural resources.
Barren County, Kentucky, is hosting a series of town hall meetings to solicit public input on the creation of a countywide zoning ordinance. The first meeting, held at Temple Hill Elementary School, saw approximately 50 attendees, many of whom voiced strong opposition to a proposed data center in Cave City. Residents like Bob Snee expressed concerns that without proper zoning, the county's agricultural character and natural resources would be destroyed. Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd, County Attorney Mike Richardson, and members of the Joint City-County Planning Commission and Fiscal Court were present to address questions.
A key point of contention at the town hall was a prospective data center project in Cave City. The Cave City city council had previously enacted a one-year moratorium on all data center applications within its limits. This moratorium is currently being challenged in court by Kentucky Industrial Alliance, the developer behind the proposed data center. Sheila Hatcher, a resident, presented a petition with 871 signatures protesting the data center, while Angie Harold and Gary Minor spoke about the project's proximity to their properties. The county plans to hold additional town hall meetings to continue gathering public feedback.