Louisville Metro Office of Planning releases draft regulations for data centers
Louisville Metro's Office of Planning has released draft regulations for data centers, banning hyperscale facilities and limiting new proposals to under 500,000 square feet within designated industrial areas. The proposed rules aim to mitigate environmental impacts and protect neighborhoods and utility customers, requiring developers to cover infrastructure upgrades. Public input is currently being sought, followed by revisions and public hearings before the proposal goes to the Louisville Metro Council.
The Louisville Metro Office of Planning has unveiled a set of draft regulations for data centers, initiating a 30-day public review period for feedback. These proposed rules are designed to ban hyperscale data centers outright and cap the size of future developments at less than 500,000 square feet, restricting their placement exclusively to industrial zones.
City officials highlighted that the regulations are intended to minimize environmental effects, safeguard residential areas, and protect utility ratepayers. A key provision mandates that data center developers, rather than customers, must bear the costs of necessary infrastructure enhancements. Additional stipulations include specific separation distances from homes, schools, and daycares; noise and buffering requirements for equipment; and a demand for transparency regarding facility ownership and users. Many projects would also require a public hearing and a conditional use permit, alongside a commitment to paying prevailing wages during construction.
Brian Davis, director of the Office of Planning, stated that the draft reflects extensive research and public engagement, including thousands of resident comments. Following the public comment period, the office plans to review feedback, make potential revisions, and schedule further public hearings before presenting the proposal to the Louisville Metro Council for consideration.