A plan to consider a two-year moratorium on data centers within the city limits was put on hold Monday following a legal glitch, but the city is expected to act on the recommendation as soon as possible.
Monday morning started with a special called meeting of the Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission to specifically discuss a possible moratorium. Chairman Joe Flowers started the meeting by saying the topic is a relatively new one for the commission.
“Quite frankly, I’m new to a lot of the ins and outs and do’s and dont’s. And that may be the feeling of some or all of our commission members,” Flowers said. “We are here to discuss this and make sure we are protecting the citizens and taxpayers of our community.”
Flowers said their role would be to see if data centers would be a benefit to the community and they were there to discuss placing a hold on any construction or location of a facility within the city limits.
Board member Steve Hancock made a motion to put in place a two-year moratorium, noting the city currently does not have any ordinances in place that would prohibit a data center or provide restrictions should one be allowed.
Each commission member voiced their support for the moratorium. Roy Radenmacher said the demand for data centers is too new for the city to rush any decisions. Charles Grimsley said he recently took part in a webinar that provided some details, noting that some data centers promise 100 jobs but most of the jobs are gone once construction is complete, leaving communities with a number of negative effects. Beverly Loy said they have been getting a lot of good information from other communities and a moratorium would allow them time to understand all the issues.
Flowers pointed out a recent news article from Louisville where specific restrictions are being put in place before a data center can locate there. Those are things Columbia could implement as well, if needed, he said.
The commission voted unanimously to recommend a two-year moratorium that would prevent any construction for a data center in Columbia. The recommendation would have to be approved by the city council, who would then establish an ordiance through two readings.
The commission met at 9 a.m. Monday with a special called City Council meeting set to follow at 11:45 a.m. Just prior to the council meeting, however, the city discovered that rules for calling special called planning and zoning meetings are different from city council meetings, and they require a seven-day advanced notice.
The city council postponed a vote on data centers until the planning and zoning commission can meet again legally to vote on the issue again.
Several data centers are set to locate in Kentucky amid discussions about the use of energy and water, a potential to cause disruptive noises, and other concerns. Companies have been known to offer top dollar for large farming areas or locations in industrial parks.
There has not been any publicly known interest in bringing a data center to the community, and Mayor Pam Hoots said the city wants to be proactive on the topic.
While there is land available at the Green River Commerce Park located on Campbellsville Rd., Economic Development Authority Chairman Larry Walker told the Community Voice that they have not been contacted by anyone seeking to buy property for a data center nor are they interested in one locating there.
The Green River Commerce Park is part of the city limits.
As for Adair County, the county does not have any zoning restrictions. Chris Reeder, a magistrate and Republican candidate for county judge executive, and Todd Davenport, magistrate and Democratic candidate for county judge executive, have both reported on social media that the county attorney is working on an ordinance to put a moratorium in place countywide. They expect it to be ready for Tuesday’s fiscal court meeting.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com
