Lexington City Council passes moratorium on data center development after sale of former Lexmark data center
Lexington City Council has enacted a moratorium on data center development following the sale of a former Lexmark data center to DartPoints Operating Company. The council also initiated a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment process to establish new regulations, citing concerns about job creation, utility costs, and community impacts. The Mayor supported the moratorium and refused public incentives for the proposed project.
Lexington, Kentucky's City Council unanimously enacted a moratorium on new data center development, following the recent sale of a former Lexmark data center to DartPoints Operating Company. The council's decision, announced Tuesday, also initiates a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) process to review and establish updated regulations for future data center projects in the city.
Councilmembers Tyler Morton and Liz Sheehan stated that this action provides an opportunity for local leaders to carefully consider the environmental, economic, and long-term implications of data centers in Lexington before further development proceeds. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton voiced strong support for the moratorium, citing concerns that data centers create few jobs and have the potential to increase utility costs for residents. Mayor Gorton has also publicly refused to back any public incentives for the proposed DartPoints data center on the former Lexmark site.
Community members had gathered the previous Monday to express opposition and concerns regarding the project, preceding the council's announcement. The moratorium and regulatory review come as the city aims to implement "very tight controls" over data center development.