Fayette County residents voice concerns over data center development
Fayette County residents spoke at a Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council hearing about potential data center development and its possible effects on nearby communities. Residents urged the council to extend a temporary moratorium while officials consider zoning rules addressing facility size, energy capacity, setbacks and noise.
Residents of Lexington and Fayette County addressed the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council on Oct. 6 over potential data center development. The council imposed a temporary moratorium in June while considering changes to local zoning regulations, but the pause was scheduled to expire Oct. 31. Several speakers asked officials to extend it to allow more time for review.
Resident and local artist Cat Smith, who lives near a proposed data center site, cited concerns about possible air pollution, water pollution and noise. Proposed rules would limit smaller data centers to 40,000 square feet, cap energy capacity at 25 megawatts, increase separation requirements from certain properties and impose a 30-decibel noise limit near residential areas. The council may approve, revise or continue reviewing the planning commission's recommendations, with any ordinance requiring two readings before final approval.