Lexington City Council hears Data Center concerns
Residents in Lexington urged the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council to impose stricter data center rules or a two-year ban, citing concerns about water use, energy demand, land consumption and setbacks. The council sent proposed data center zoning recommendations to the planning department for further work and voted to extend the existing moratorium through October 2027.
A packed Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council meeting featured residents calling for stronger limits on data center development, including restrictions on facility size, energy and water consumption, and setbacks from schools and other buildings. Some residents supported a two-year moratorium or a complete ban, arguing that Fayette County may not have enough resources to accommodate the industry's land and infrastructure demands.
A data center developer with plans in Lexington urged officials not to move too quickly, saying overly restrictive rules could limit infrastructure investment and future economic growth. The University of Kentucky also asked the council to preserve opportunities for smaller data centers that could support research and other institutional priorities. After public comment, council members sent the proposed zoning recommendations to the planning department to develop a separate zoning category and voted to extend the current moratorium through October 2027.