Lexington residents oppose proposed data center as council considers recommendations
Residents in Lexington, Kentucky, are pushing back against a proposed data center, citing concerns about noise, light, and pollution. The Planning Commission has recommended new regulations, including size caps and noise limits, which the Urban County Council will consider. A council moratorium has currently put the data center plans on hold.
Residents in Lexington, Kentucky, are voicing strong opposition to a proposed data center, raising concerns about its potential impact on their neighborhoods. These conversations continued following a six-hour Planning Commission meeting that focused on updating data center regulations.
The Planning Commission is recommending new restrictions for data centers, including capping their size at 40,000 square feet, implementing a 30-decibel noise limit, and requiring greater distances from residential areas. Neighbors are particularly worried about light, noise, and pollution, with many stating the updated ordinance needs to be stricter.
The proposed data center, which would be located on the former Lexmark property on New Circle Road and is linked to the company Dark Points, is currently on hold due to an existing council moratorium. Residents expressed frustration over a lack of information from Dark Points representatives, and many continue to completely reject the idea of the data center in their community. The Planning Commission's recommendations have been forwarded to the Urban County Council, which will make the final decision.