The Columbia City Council has taken the final step needed to establish a six-month moratorium that will prevent any data center from constructing or locating within the city limits.
The council unanimously approved the recommendation made by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Council member Hannah Peck asked if the council could consider a longer time period, and Mayor Pam Hoots replied the six-month window came from a recommendation by Kentucky League of Cities.
Communities across the commonwealth are scrambling to prepare for potential interest from data centers as major companies such as Google, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon commit billions of dollars toward their development.
City Clerk Woody Sharpe said KLC believes extended moratoriums hold less ground when there are legal challenges.
Charles Grimsley, a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission who attended the council meeting, said the commission will now consider what other communities are doing to address the development of data centers and will propose an ordinance for Columbia. They will request an extension of the moratorium if it becomes necessary.
In response to comments made on social media questioning the need for the city to implement a policy pertaining to data centers, council member Rhonda Loy noted that there are several plots of land within the city limits with at least 35 acres of land.
Items Going to Surplus
Also during the city council meeting, which was held Monday evening, the council approved a list of items to add to surplus. The list includes several trailers, a skid steer, backhoe attachment, decorative street pole lights, office furniture and more.
The council approved a request by Mayor Hoots to advertise for a local auction company to handle the sale of the surplus property.
Gas Projects on the Move
The council briefly discussed several projects currently in the works.
Members approved an ordinance to authorize a state economic development grant of $250,000 for gas expansion on Industrial Park Road. The expansion will increase capacity as CIRCOR plans an expansion at its facility.
The council approved a resolution for a federal economic development gas project for funding that has been approved on Greensburg Rd.
The council voted to approve a LARP agreement for $371,000 for a blacktop project on Burkesville Loop.
Mayor Hoots reported that a full application has been requested by ARC for a gas line project on Lindsey Wilson St. and Fairground St.
The council approved a request from Brandon Harvey to donate a pickup truck that is surplus to the Breeding Fire Department.
Discussion Continues on Nuisance Property
When the floor was open for council members to bring up items, Peck asked for an update on three properties that have been facing litigation for violating the city’s nuisance ordinance.
Attorney Mike Harris said one property issue has been resolved, and he has not had time to address the others. The one that is resolved is on Jamestown Street and it has been sold, and the new owner is cleaning it up.
Loy asked that the council receive regular updates on the number of nuisance letters that go out and was told they would begin receiving that information.
Hoots updated the council on the Watson Street project to address flooding. She said they have received funding, and the funding is expected to be released late summer or fall.
Loy said local residents in that area would like to be involved as the project unfolds.
Mayor Hoots said the $184,000 in funding approved by the legislature for the Trabue Russell House will not be available until the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027.
Garbage Can Proposal Discussed
The council discussed a proposal by a company that would provide garbage cans for the city’s 1,500 households for $2 per month per garbage can. The fee would be passed along to residents.
The company requested a five-year agreement. After several minutes of discussion, the council agreed to have a representative from the city’s garbage department to attend the next meeting to see if the proposal is something they should consider. No action was taken.
Grimsley, who is on the fair board, asked the city about a request for $5,000 in funding to assist the organization. The funds have already been approved in the budget, and the council followed up with approval to provide the funds.
Hoots and council members said they heard positive comments from people about hosting fireworks at the Joe Johnson Little League Park.
The council went into executive session to discuss economic development.
All council members were present for the meeting. They are Dr. Ronald Rogers, Hannah Peck, Mark Harris, Sharon Payne, Craig Dean and Rhonda Loy.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com
