Bowling Green commission adopts zoning changes for data centers after extended public Q&A

The Bowling Green Board of Commissioners voted to approve on first reading a package of zoning amendments aimed at regulating data centers, following an extended debate and technical briefings at its June 2 meeting.

Commissioner Beasley Brown, a sponsor of the measure, said the changes — which add specific use standards, utility sign-off requirements and a decommissioning bond — are intended to "ensure that our local families, small businesses and existing manufacturers do not subsidize the massive infrastructure and impact of these projects." She asked commissioners to "stand up for the people and the businesses who built Bowling Green into what it is today." (Commissioner Beasley Brown)

Why it matters: the proposed rules try to balance local economic development with concerns raised in other communities about rapid approvals that preceded utility-rate pressure, strained infrastructure, or disagreements over promised long-term jobs. The ordinance adds minimum setbacks (including a 1,500-foot distance from residences, schools and hospitals for many installations), requires applicants to provide signed utility plans showing how they will pay for any needed upgrades, and requires a bonded decommissioning plan to restore sites at the end of operations.

Experts and staff briefed the commission at length. Ben Peterson of planning and zoning said, "We don't have what we call any specific use standards for data centers" and described the new package as creating standards for building facades, loading locations, glare mitigation, signed utility plans and reclamation bonds. (Ben Peterson)

Mark Iverson, CEO of Bowling Green Municipal Utilities, told commissioners the city and county are public-power systems that can negotiate terms with large customers and that the costs of any distribution or treatment upgrades would be expected to be borne by the project: "The burden would be none" on existing ratepayers if required upgrades are paid by the applicant, Iverson said. He also said utilities would collaborate with TVA and other entities where transmission or generation capacity is involved. (Mark Iverson)

Opposing views focused on timing and economic opportunity. Mayor Alcott warned that a moratorium or overly restrictive approach could be interpreted as closing the city to new investment: "I cannot support this because to me, by voting for this, we're saying sorry, we're closed for business." (Mayor Alcott)

A proposed amendment that would have required any data center in a heavy-industrial zone to instead go through a conditional-use (public hearing) process failed on a 3–2 vote. The commission then approved the zoning ordinance package on first reading (non-binding) by roll call; the ordinance will return for a second reading and implementation steps as required by municipal practice.

The new zoning language is modeled in part on a Kentucky Resources Council template and on other jurisdictions' guidance; planning staff said the city's draft is generally more restrictive in its coverage because it applies to data centers of any size rather than only hyperscale projects. The ordinance also includes limits on emissions points, facade design standards, and times and limits for generator testing to mitigate neighborhood noise.

What's next: The ordinance passed first reading and will return for a subsequent reading and final action. Staff and commissioners repeatedly requested public work sessions/open houses and follow-up briefings with utilities, planning staff and economic development stakeholders to answer additional technical questions about peak demand, closed-loop cooling systems and long-term job commitments.

The commission recorded the final roll-call approval of the zoning ordinance on first reading (all commissioners voting yes). The amendment that would have added a conditional-use requirement for heavy-industrial sites was defeated (two yes, three no).