We are working to improve Louisville Metro's Proposed Data Center Ordinance

Here’s an update to the more than 1,500 of you (and growing) who have signed the petition calling for Louisville Metro Government to adopt and enforce meaningful protections against potential harms inflicted by data center development in Louisville.   In large part because of your actions, mayor Greenberg’s administration has now proposed a new ordinance addressing data center development.  While this is a good start, unfortunately the proposed ordinance does not provide the kinds of protections you asked for when you signed the petition.   

To address these deficiencies, several local community groups have banded together to work with the Metro Council, the Metro Department of Planning and the Mayor’s office to modify the proposal to create meaningful protection.   In the meantime, there's still plenty of time to urge your friends and neighbors to sign the petition.    Every new signature helps us push for meaningful protections against potential data-center harm. 

The modifications we will seek include:

1)     A new Industrial Data Center zoning requirement and Conditional Use Permit would be required for all data center applicants.  This will ensure public notification and provide opportunities for public input when a data center is proposed.

2)     Meaningful, mandatory noise restrictions that encompass vibration, infrasound and low-frequency cooling-fan hum, including requirements for a pre-construction acoustical study by a licensed engineer and post-construction compliance testing as well as ongoing, real-time monitoring.

3)     Elimination of the draft's proposed “Data Center, Accessory” classification that would exempt some data centers from any new rules whatsoever, no matter how large they are, how much electricity they consume or what impact they have on the community.

4)     Narrowing of the testing window for backup generators to noon-5 p.m.

5)     Provisions that require closed-loop cooling systems rather than the current language that only recommends it.  

6)      Requirements to prohibit and enforce ambient heat increases beyond the property perimeter.  

7)     Design, lighting and fencing standards to prevent eyesores and light pollution.

8)     Improvements in the proposed setback standards that require 500 feet from all perimeter property lines, 1,500 feet from any Sensitive Use, or any Residential- Commercial- or Agricultural-district boundary, and 1,000-2,000-foot setbacks for any emission point or exhaust stack.

9)     Additional rules to address on-property, behind-the-meter, primary electrical generation.  The current Metro proposal addresses only backup electrical generation.   Continuous generator operation as a primary power source should be prohibited.  Primary, behind-the-fence electrical generation should be considered a separate use, requiring its own zoning change.

10)   Strengthening of water protections that addresses impacts on water availability, quality and rates.

11)   Requirement for the applicant to submit plans that demonstrate how each of the substantive standards will be met during construction and operation.

12)   Development of clear standards for review and approval of data center applications that will serve to protect against defensive legal actions.

13)   Provision for the Planning Commission to retain an independent expert review of the proposal with funding provided by the applicant.  The study should be available for public review prior to the public comment/hearing phase of review.

You can read the proposed Metro Louisville Proposed Data Center Ordinance and provide feedback to Metro Government at this link:  https://louisvilleky.gov/government/office-planning/data-centers

You can read the Kentucky Resources Council Recommended Revisions to Louisville Metro Draft Data Center Text Amendments at this link:   https://kyrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/KRC-Recommendations-re.-LMG-Data-Center-Ordinance-2026-06-22.pdf