Cave City passes first reading of moratorium on data centers
Audience members shouted that the moratorium was only a temporary fix, calling for an outright ban on all data centers.
CAVE CITY, Ky. — A moratorium on data center developments passed its first reading Monday afternoon in Cave City.
A moratorium is a temporary order that halts new development while officials review regulations, and in this case it would apply specifically to data center projects.
If adopted, the measure would pause new applications for zoning and building approvals related to data centers for one year, until studies are completed and any necessary ordinance updates are made.
The proposal comes as local discussions continue about potential development in Barren County. Councilmember Leticia Cline said conversations have taken place over the past five months about the possibility of a data center being built somewhere in the county, likely in Cave City.
A data center is a large facility that houses computer systems and infrastructure used to store, process and manage digital information for companies, websites and cloud-based services.
County leadership and planning and zoning officials said there are currently no active project proposals, though Councilmember Cline insists discussions about potential development are still ongoing.
The Cave City proposal follows similar action in nearby Meade County, where officials recently approved a moratorium that has been referenced in local discussions as a possible model.
Brennan Crain
The measure passed 4-1, with Councilmember Denny Doyle voting against it.
Councilmembers Leticia Cline, Clifton Parsley, Andrew Bagshaw and Ronald Coffey voted in favor. Councilwoman Beverly Ford was not present.
Doyle said he opposed the length of the proposed moratorium, saying it could send the wrong message to potential developers.
“We’re trying to attract someone to come here and open up a business, hell, not run them off,” Doyle said.
He said he would have supported a shorter moratorium but believed the current version went too far.
“My vote means that I do not agree with the majority,” he said. “I obviously believe these data centers are two-thirds good and one-third bad. They believe, obviously, the opposite at best.”
Asked about his position, Doyle initially said he does not see data centers as entirely negative. After further questioning, he said he supports them.
“We need revenue,” he said. “From what I have read from the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky, I would say yes.”
City Hall was packed again, as it was last Monday, and some in the audience were upset they were not permitted to speak. Members shouted that the moratorium was only a temporary fix, calling for an outright ban on all data centers.
“Can we stop ignoring the community,” one person said as clerk Bonita Hendren called the names of each councilmember during the vote.
“I'd like to make a motion for a permanent ban on data centers in this county and anywhere in the Mammoth Cave region,” one audience member shouted.
Councilmember Leticia Cline called for a committee to be formed, where citizen input could be heard and more discussion could be held. City Attorney Bobby Richardson advised the council to form the committee after they pass the moratorium on second reading.
“My only issue with the moratorium is it pauses discussions for a year, which happens to be after election,” said Kyle Rannells, a Park City resident. “There's no way to hold anybody accountable for their vote.”
The ordinance must undergo a second reading before it becomes law. The council will take up that reading Wednesday at 5 p.m. in another special-called meeting.
“I'm sure there's not one person in this room that don't want the best for this whole community,” Hatcher said at the end of the meeting.
