Bowling Green approves data center regulations, rejects six-month review period

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – “I eat, sleep, breathe and bleed Bowling green. I love this community. I wasn’t born here, but I’m going to die here, because this is my land,” 

Bowling Green city leaders approved new regulations for future data center development Tuesday night as a separate effort to delay potential applications for additional review failed after a lengthy discussion.

The Bowling Green City Commission unanimously approved Ordinance BG2026-6 on second reading, amending the city’s zoning ordinance to create standards for data centers.

The ordinance does not approve any specific data center project. Instead, it establishes requirements future proposals would have to meet, including rules involving setbacks, utility and infrastructure capacity, cooling systems, backup generators, noise and heat impacts, and decommissioning plans.

The vote came after more than four hours of public comment, with many residents asking commissioners to delay action and allow more time to study potential impacts.

“This is not about being anti-technology. This is not about stopping economic development. It’s about taking the time to make sure we get this right before decisions are made that could affect our community,” one resident said during public comment.

Another resident said a delay would allow the city to better understand potential consequences.

“A temporary six month pause would have been the responsible path forward. Not because Bowling Green residents should reject growth and technology, but because major decisions deserve careful consideration and meaningful public input,” the resident said.

Commissioners said the new ordinance was intended to create a framework for evaluating future proposals rather than making a decision on any specific development.

Commissioner Melinda Hill said Bowling Green must continue considering opportunities for economic growth.

“Data centers. The answer I don’t know, but I do know I want Bowling Green to continue to be open for business,” Hill said.

Commissioner Carlos Bailey said he supported putting regulations in place but acknowledged additional questions remain.

“Having clear rules are better than unclear rules, but my vote should not be interpreted to mean every question has been answered,” Bailey said.

After the ordinance passed, Commissioner Dana Beasley-Brown reintroduced a municipal order creating a six-month due diligence period to further review potential data center impacts.

Beasley-Brown said the additional time would provide more transparency before any future decisions are made.

“We need to do this for the sake of transparency, and because it is the right thing to do before a decision of this magnitude,” Beasley-Brown said.

The municipal order passed its first vote to make the agenda 4-1, with Commissioner Todd Alcott voting against it. However, the measure failed on final passage by a 3-2 vote, with Bailey and Beasley-Brown voting in favor.

The newly approved ordinance is now part of Bowling Green’s zoning code and will apply to any future data center proposals within city limits along with all other legislative bodies in Warren County besides Warren County Fiscal Court as of June 17.