City of Franklin Planning & Zoning Commission tables data center vote for 4th time
FRANKLIN, Ky. – The City of Franklin Planning and Zoning Commission held their latest meeting, this one specially called, to discuss the data center topic that’s been a hot button in the community. Now, the vote on that proposal has been tabled once again.
Heading into this meeting, there was a new revelation that had citizens concerned.
“Carter Monday, who is supposed to be the administrator for all of this planning and zoning… he unfortunately wasn’t hired correctly. That and there’s a lot of transparency that’s not going on,” said Jasmine Butt, a Franklin resident.
With TenKey’s recent lawsuit against Simpson County based on an ordinance regarding a conditional use permit needed, it’s leaving even city staff confused.
“It’s our understanding that the county ordinances will hold until it’s shot down by courts and we don’t believe it’s going to get shot down. So again, there’s been no update on that… so again, I’m not sure why we’re having the meeting tonight based on that as well,” said Franklin City Commissioner Kelly Bush.
The main issue residents are concerned about is how it will affect their natural resources, and while TenKey’s representatives say these are great concerns to make, it’s simply too early in the design process, and a vote needs to happen first.
“It’s going to be right over Sinking Creek, and with that being said, there are bats that could go extinct… and so there’s a lot that’s going into this as to why not, and the biggest being will it pollute our water. And they openly admitted at the last meeting that they would have dumpage into our clean drinking water,” said Butt.
“This is a very, very preliminary step and a very long process to getting this project approved and built. But this is the first step in it, a vote needs to happen before we can move forward,” said Gregory Dutton, the attorney representing TenKey during this process.
With the vote being tabled for the 4th time now, board members cited still not having enough information to vote on the issue just yet.
“You’re asking a group of people to make a decision that’s going to impact this community for generations to come, and you’re only giving them 5% of the information of what’s really going to happen and what they’re going to do,” said Simpson County judge executive Mason Barnes.
There is currently no date set for the next meeting. News 40 will keep you updated as we learn more.
