Franklin Planning and Zoning approves preliminary plan for proposed data center

FRANKLIN, Ky. (WNKY) — The Franklin Planning and Zoning Commission approved a preliminary development plan Tuesday for a proposed data center complex in Franklin, marking an early step in what local officials say will be a lengthy review process.

The project, proposed by TenKey LandCo, would be built on land near Interstate 65 and could include multiple large facilities designed to house computer servers and digital infrastructure used to store and process data.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the preliminary plan after weeks of discussion and a previous meeting where the proposal was tabled to allow for revisions and additional review.

The preliminary approval does not authorize construction but allows the project to move forward into the next stages of planning and permitting.

Mason Barnes, Simpson County judge-executive, said the vote is only one step in a process that could take months as additional details and approvals are considered.

“We will just have to see what the next step is,” Barnes said. “I do not believe our community members have changed their position on the data center. There’s still a long way to go.”

The proposed development could span hundreds of acres and include several large data storage facilities constructed over multiple phases. Data centers typically house servers, networking equipment and other digital infrastructure and often require significant power and cooling systems to operate.

Attorney Greg Dutton, who represents TenKey LandCo, said the company views the commission’s vote as an initial milestone.

“We are encouraged by the Franklin Planning & Zoning Commission’s decision this evening,” Dutton said. “This decision signals the first step in a lengthy approval and development process. As we navigate this process, our objective is for this project to deliver a net-positive impact for the entire community, supporting public institutions and services through new investment while creating high-quality jobs and long-term economic value.”

The proposal has drawn strong reactions from some community members and local leaders who have raised concerns about the approval process and the potential impact of the development.

Kelly Bush, a Franklin city commissioner and mayoral candidate, said he believes the circumstances surrounding the vote raise questions about how the decision was reached.

“In my view, that approval came after board members were subjected to legal pressure and a presentation from counsel that, at minimum, was deeply misleading and had the effect of pushing the board toward a result that should concern the public,” Bush said. “I do not believe the process reflected the level of fairness, transparency, or independent judgment that residents deserve. My concerns about how this was handled are only increased by what occurred during that meeting.”

The proposal is expected to continue drawing public attention as the process moves forward.