# Planning Commission to hear data center zoning proposal **Published:** 2026-07-30T18:30:00.000Z **Source:** [LFUCG Meeting Agendas](https://lfucg.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=6843) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/planning-commission-to-hear-data-center-zoning-proposal LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Urban County Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on proposed data center zoning regulations on Thursday, July 30, according to [the official meeting agenda](https://lfucg.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=6843). The hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the LFUCG Government Center, 200 East Main Street. The commission will consider a [zoning ordinance text amendment that would define and regulate data center uses](https://engage.lexingtonky.gov/DataCenters) in Fayette County. The proposed regulations would divide data centers into two categories: "minor" facilities under 50,000 square feet and "major" facilities larger than that threshold. [Major data centers would be prohibited countywide, while minor data centers could be built only in warehouse and light industrial zones with a conditional use permit](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-07-30/lexington-planning-commission-takes-up-data-center-proposal). Under the proposed regulations, developers would have to address noise, water conservation, energy use and the project's impact on the local power grid. The proposal stems from public concern about hyper-scale data center development. [The regulations were prompted by public opposition after DartPoints purchased the former Lexmark campus on West New Circle Road for a possible data center](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-07-30/lexington-planning-commission-takes-up-data-center-proposal). According to the agenda, the Zoning Committee recommended postponement of the text amendment during its July 2 meeting. However, planning staff recommends approval, noting that the proposed language would provide clarity to Lexington's land use regulations and protect communities by prohibiting major data centers while allowing minor facilities only in industrial areas. The staff recommendation also states that the regulations would permit accessory server rooms without additional review. The [Urban County Council approved a temporary moratorium on all data center development in June](https://engage.lexingtonky.gov/DataCenters), which pauses permits and zone changes related to data centers until October 31, 2026. Community members can submit feedback on the proposed regulations in person at Thursday's hearing or by emailing PlanningMailbox@lexingtonky.gov. ## Sources - [LFUCG Meeting Agendas](https://lfucg.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=6843) - [Data Centers in Lexington - LFUCG engagement page](https://engage.lexingtonky.gov/DataCenters) - [WUKY news coverage of Planning Commission proposal](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-07-30/lexington-planning-commission-takes-up-data-center-proposal) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from LFUCG Meeting Agendas, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://lfucg.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=6843.