LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — After nearly a year of public meetings and 7,000 comments, Louisville's debate over data centers is moving into its next phase.
The Louisville Metro Planning Commission held its 10th and final scheduled public meeting Monday night, giving residents one more chance to weigh in on proposed rules for the massive facilities.
And while the commission heard plenty of opinions, much of the public feedback has centered on one thing: Residents don't want data centers in their neighborhoods.
William Mays, who lives about a mile from the data center on Camp Ground Road, told commissioners he wants Louisville to stop future data center development altogether.
"I'm not really happy about it because of all the various issues that are going on with it," Mays said. "I would like the Planning Commission to recommend that Metro Council actually ban all data centers in the future."
The commission's current draft proposal doesn't go that far.
The commission outlined the following additional proposed regulations:
- Protect utility customers by requiring evidence that new facilities will not shift any costs to existing ratepayers
- Require the developer presenting the proposal to bear the cost of improvements to infrastructure if upgrades are required;
- Limit data center development to designated industrial areas;
- Require environmentally low-impact construction and site design practices;
- Require substantial separation from homes, schools, and daycare facilities;
- Require a public hearing and conditional use permit for data centers that do not meet outlined exceptions for existing business operations;
- Establish noise standards and buffering requirements for generators and other equipment;
- Require the entity making the proposal to be transparent and disclose the company that would own and be using the proposed development; and
- Pay prevailing wages in connection with the project’s construction.
The proposal also includes tighter environmental regulations and protections for nearby utility customers. Data centers would have to operate without increasing utility rates, and the rules would address reliable cellphone and internet service for residents near the facilities.
Jordan Dye, who opposes data center development, said officials need to think beyond the immediate economic benefits.
"We must consider the environmental impacts of hyperscale data centers and the future of the next generations," Dye said.
Other residents called for more oversight of future projects, including requiring a conditional use permit, a public hearing and Metro Council review for each proposal.
"Transparency is not an obstacle to progress; it is the foundation of trust," Max Corbett told commissioners.
Some residents also pushed back on arguments that data centers could bring additional money to schools and human services.
"The people behind these data centers would drive us with money as though they were altruistic," Dye said.
The Planning Commission has spent nearly a year gathering public input. Monday's meeting was the 10th in the process — nine were held in person and one was held virtually.
Now, commissioners will take the public feedback and work it into a recommendation for Metro Council.
The commission is expected to make its recommendation in August. Metro Council will have the final vote on how Louisville regulates future data center development.
Click here to view the full proposal.
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