Special meeting held on Murray data center ordinance; Public hearing draws community feedback
The Murray City Council held a special meeting and public hearing to discuss a draft data center ordinance. Community members provided feedback and suggested amendments to ensure the ordinance regulates potential data centers rather than inviting them. The amended ordinance is scheduled for a second reading on August 13.
The Murray City Council convened a special meeting, including a public hearing, to review a proposed data center ordinance. This meeting followed multiple sessions by the city's planning commission to develop the draft regulations, which were subsequently forwarded to the council for consideration.
During the public hearing, council members reviewed the planning commission's recommended ordinance and listened to extensive feedback from community members regarding potential amendments. The proposed modifications primarily aim to establish comprehensive regulations for any future data center development within Murray, focusing on aspects such as annual reporting, permit renewals, and increased buffer distances from wetlands. Tara Lynn Kallaher, a concerned resident, praised the recommendations, stating that their adoption would make Murray's ordinance among the most protective in Kentucky.
The council has scheduled a second reading of the amended ordinance for August 13. However, the 4 p.m. start time for the special meeting drew criticism from some attendees, including Brandy Valentine, who argued that the earlier time inconvenienced working residents and limited their ability to participate, advocating for a return to the customary 6 p.m. meeting start.