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An Ordinance amending the Lexington-Fayette County Zoning Ordinance by deleting references to computer and data processing centers in Sections 8-15 (P-1 zone), 8-19 (B-2B zone), 8-21 (B-4 zone), 8-24 (P-2 zone), 23A-9 (CC zone) and 23A-10 (ED zone). (Urban County Council). [Council Office, Hall]
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WHEREAS, the Lexington-Fayette County Zoning Ordinance (“Zoning Ordinance”) provides that computer and data processing centers (or data processing centers), are a principal use in the P-1, B-2B, B-4, P-2, CC and ED zones, but does not include a definition for the land use(s); and,
WHEREAS, the colloquial understanding of what comprises a data center at the time of adoption of these provisions of the Zoning Ordinance has changed rapidly in recent years; and,
WHEREAS, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government has been examining data centers as an emerging land use and has been working on developing appropriate regulations relating thereto in order to promote the public interest implicated by data centers; and,
WHEREAS, the Urban County Council recognizes the need to regulate data centers as an emerging land use in Lexington-Fayette County and previously initiated a zoning Ordinance text Amendment to provide and clarify definitions with regard to data center uses, to adopt regulations regarding data centers as a land use in certain zones, and to provide clarity on appropriate considerations for development of data centers as an emerging land use in certain zones, all in order to ensure proper integration of this land use in the Lexington-Fayette County planning and zoning scheme; and,
WHEREAS, at a Public Hearing held on July 30, 2026, a proposed text amendment relating to the regulation of data centers was presented to the Urban County Planning Commission; said Commission recommending approval of its proposed alternative text by a vote of 7-2; and,
WHEREAS, the Urban County Council agrees in part and disagrees in part with the recommendation of the Plannin...
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