Data center moratorium proposal heads to Cave City council vote

The Cave City City Council is scheduled to vote on Monday, May 18, on a proposal for a one-year moratorium that would temporarily suspend the consideration of applications for IT infrastructure facilities and data centers within city limits. City Attorney Bobby Richardson clarified that the measure is a narrowly defined pause, not an outright prohibition, and is intended to allow the city time to review and update its regulations. Richardson stated that there is no known potential litigation or current applications for such facilities in Cave City, making the proposal a precautionary measure. This approach mirrors actions taken by other local governments across Kentucky, including Meade County, which adopted a 12-month moratorium earlier this year to update its zoning ordinances, and Louisville Metro Council, which recently reintroduced a similar temporary moratorium. Additionally, Morgan County commissioners approved a six-month moratorium last month for the same purpose. The Kentucky Resources Council has also published model zoning language to assist local governments in regulating data center siting and land-use impacts, indicating a broader statewide trend toward careful consideration of data center development.