LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville leaders heard from residents Monday night during the first public hearing on proposed rules for future data centers.
The hearing comes after Louisville Metro's Office of Planning updated its proposal Friday after reviewing more than 3,600 public comments.
Planning Commission members said ordinance changes usually only require one public meeting, but data centers have been different. The commission has already held several special meetings, with three more public hearings still to come.
One reason is that data centers aren't specifically addressed in Louisville's land development code. More than 20 already operate in Jefferson County, but the proposed Camp Ground Road data center in west Louisville has sparked much of the recent debate.
Protesters interrupted Mayor Craig Greenberg's weekly news conference July 14 in reference to that data center, yelling "Greenberg, Greenberg you can't hide. We need you to pick a side."
Several speakers said Monday they don't want the city approving more projects before stronger rules are in place.
"I want us to be more proactive than reactive," one resident said.
The proposal would ban new hyperscale data centers larger than 500,000 square feet. It would also limit most future data centers to industrial areas.
Planning staff are also recommending:
- 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
- Require environmentally low-impact construction and site design practices
- 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 updated draft also adds several changes based on public feedback.
Large-scale data centers would have to be at least 500 feet from homes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and child care centers. Medium-sized facilities would have to be at least 200 feet away.
The city is also proposing stricter generator rules, banning gas turbines and co-located power plants as part of data center developments, and limiting accessory data centers to prevent larger facilities from being created through zoning loopholes.
Many of Monday's comments centered on electricity and water.
"Where will the water waste go if chemicals or cooling fluids are used?" said Louisville resident Regina Fowler. "How will that water be treated and disposed of? We need clear answers before moving forward."
Another speaker claimed some data centers consume up to 50 million gallons a day.
One resident also said the city should require a decommissioning clause to ensure taxpayers aren't left with "a giant industrial mess" if a data center is no longer profitable.
The Planning Commission will continue collecting public feedback before sending its recommendations to Metro Council and suburban cities.
Three public hearings remain:
- Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 5 p.m. at U of L Shelby Campus (450 N. Whittington Parkway)
- Thursday, Aug. 6, at 5 p.m. online. To join, visit the Upcoming Public Meetings page.
- Monday, Aug. 10, at 5 p.m. at the African American Heritage Center (1701 W. Muhammad Ali Boulevard)
Click here to view the full proposal.
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