Lexington Planning Commission holds hearing on data-center zoning rules during moratorium
Lexington-Fayette’s Planning Commission held a public hearing July 30 on proposed zoning rules for data centers, continuing the local government’s review while a council-approved moratorium on certain data-center applications and permits remains in effect through Oct. 31.
The hearing concerned a proposed Data Center Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment, or ZOTA. It was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Government Center, 200 East Main Street in Lexington.
The official materials identify the hearing as a Planning Commission step in considering draft rules. They do not provide a final commission vote or the exact text of any recommendation made after the hearing.
Rules would change the zoning ordinance generally
A ZOTA is a change to Lexington’s zoning ordinance that applies generally rather than to a single property, according to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s data-center information page.
The proposed amendment concerns rules for data centers in Lexington-Fayette County. The planning process could help determine where and under what conditions data centers may be built, a question tied to land use, infrastructure planning and future economic development.
The available official record does not establish that final data-center zoning rules have been enacted by the Urban County Council. It also does not establish that existing data centers are prohibited.
Council moratorium remains in place
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council unanimously passed the data-center moratorium on June 9. It pauses the acceptance and processing of certain zone-map amendments, development plans and permits for data centers until Oct. 31, 2026.
That pause applies to specified new land-use and permitting actions, rather than serving as a final zoning ordinance. The council’s resolution was intended to give the local government time to review and potentially amend its regulations for data centers.
For applicants seeking actions covered by the moratorium, the Oct. 31 end date remains the stated deadline in the official material. The moratorium does not by itself show what requirements, if any, the council ultimately will adopt for future data-center development.
Recommendation goes to council
The Planning Commission’s recommendation is part of the formal process for a possible zoning-code amendment and is to return to the Urban County Council for further action.
Officials’ published materials confirmed the hearing and the moratorium but did not include final July 30 meeting minutes, a commission vote or final ordinance language. As a result, it remains unconfirmed whether the commission recommended a particular rule and what action the council may take next.
Sources
- Planning Commission, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
- Data Centers in Lexington, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
- Urban County Council meeting of June 9, 2026, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
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