Lexington-Fayette Urban County Planning Commission to consider data center regulation

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Planning Commission is set to hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 30, at 1:30 p.m. to deliberate on proposed zoning ordinance text amendments (ZOTAs) addressing data center development. These amendments aim to define and regulate data centers within Fayette County, Kentucky, distinguishing between 'minor' and 'major' facilities.

Under the proposed ZOTAs, major data centers, defined as those exceeding 50,000 square feet and featuring at least one electrical substation, would be prohibited from developing in Fayette County. Minor data centers, less than 50,000 square feet, would be restricted to specific zones such as warehouse/wholesale business and light industrial areas. These smaller facilities would also be subject to stringent requirements, including obtaining a conditional use permit and submitting plans for noise, water conservation, energy consumption, and local energy impact assessments. Additionally, minor data centers would be barred from being within 1,000 feet of neighborhoods, schools, or daycares and must demonstrate no strain on the local water supply.

The Planning Commission's vote at the hearing will lead to an official recommendation to the Urban County Council. This regulatory action follows a unanimous moratorium on data center development that the Urban County Council passed on June 9. The moratorium was spurred by the announcement of a potential development at Lexmark's former site, although the purchasing company, DartPoints, clarified its plans only involve updating the existing facility, not constructing a new large data center.