Kennard officials and residents raise concerns about proposed nearby data center; board to record position and review ordinances

Board members discussed a proposed data center near Kennard and whether the town should invoke a two-mile fringe protection or otherwise register its opposition.

"I'm not sure that there's been anybody that I've talked to that likes it or wants it," a committee member said, summarizing conversations with residents. Another member noted state limits on municipal authority, saying the general assembly reduced the town's ability to regulate property outside its corporate limits, and the board agreed it should record its concerns with county officials and planning and zoning.

The board emphasized the matter appears to be in a preliminary or "dealer" stage: there were no planning and zoning applications on file as of the meeting record, and a board member said the county commissioners would likely vote on any rezoning request.

Members urged residents who support or oppose the project to contact county commissioners and the planning and zoning board. The board did not take a formal vote on a policy position at the meeting and recorded no application or filing from developers in the transcript.

Separately, the board discussed a plan to review and update older town ordinances (some dating to the 1990s) and whether posting legal notices at three town locations could substitute for paid newspaper publication in the absence of a local paper. A committee member suggested placing a waterproof bulletin board at the park or another public location if the code allows that posting method.

No planning application or rezoning vote was recorded in the meeting; the discussion served to document local concerns and next steps for residents and staff.