After hours of debate, complaints, Lexington planning commission advises strict data center rules
Lexington's planning commission has recommended strict new data center rules, including a ban on facilities over 50,000 square feet in Fayette County. These rules, which address concerns about location, noise, water, and energy use, were sent to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council for approval after extensive public input and opposition. The recommendations follow DartPoints' acquisition of a local property for a data center.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Planning Commission has recommended a set of stringent new rules for data centers, including a ban on facilities larger than 50,000 square feet within Fayette County, Kentucky. Following a six-hour public meeting on July 30 where over 40 residents advocated for strict guidelines or an outright ban, the commission voted to send a zoning ordinance text amendment to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council for approval.
The proposed regulations mandate that minor data centers (under 50,000 sq ft and 25 MW) be located at least 1,500 feet from residential areas, schools, hospitals, or healthcare facilities, and operate at 30 decibels or less. They also require comprehensive plans for water and energy consumption, noise impact, transmission lines, stormwater management, energy efficiency, and decommissioning strategies. Agricultural zones would prohibit data centers, and major data centers are barred entirely from Fayette County.
These discussions were prompted after the Herald-Leader reported that DartPoints had purchased a former Lexmark property to convert it into a data center. DartPoints President and CEO Scott Willis stated the company aims to update the existing facility to serve local needs and is committed to community engagement and transparency, though they have not held public forums. DartPoints lawyer Jon Woodall addressed the planning commission, proposing regulations based on power capacity (up to 50 MW for their site) rather than square footage, a suggestion partially adopted with a 25 MW cap for minor data centers.
Public sentiment, as articulated by residents like Claue Kelly and Latonia Jones, largely expressed strong opposition to new data centers, citing concerns about environmental impact, energy and water resource exploitation, and the societal effects of AI. Some commissioners, including Bruce Nicol and Frank Penn, criticized the council for providing insufficient time and a lack of initial draft text for the amendment. Fourth District Council member Emma Curtis urged the commission to propose more stringent requirements, vowing to strengthen them if necessary.