How much control would Russell County have if a data center sought to locate here? That question prompted discussion near the end of Monday morning’s Russell County Fiscal Court meeting.
Magistrate Steve Richardson raised the issue, saying, “I think eventually we need to work on something on these data centers. If we don’t, we’re going to get caught.”
Russell County Property Valuation Administrator Tim Popplewell told WJRS NEWS his office received an email in May from an individual seeking land parcel boundary mapping data for a data center site screening project. Popplewell said fellow PVAs across Kentucky reported receiving the same inquiry.
County Judge Executive Randy Marcum said neighboring Casey County has implemented a moratorium on data centers.
County Attorney Kevin Shearer advised magistrates that Russell County could also adopt a moratorium, but he questioned whether it would withstand a legal challenge.
Shearer emphasized that he was not recommending zoning or a land use plan, but explaining potential legal issues and possible solutions.
He told the court that zoning or land use planning would provide a legal framework for regulating data centers. Shearer said, in a court challenge, a judge would consider whether those regulations were in place before a data center sought to locate in the county.
Richardson said the county would need to take action “so we have some control” if a situation arises.
Speaking with WJRS NEWS following the meeting, Marcum said attorneys with the Kentucky Association of Counties had given him essentially the same advice Shearer shared with magistrates.
Marcum said community meetings or a public hearing may be necessary to gather citizen input and determine how residents want the county to proceed. He also acknowledged that people don’t want to be told what they can or cannot do with their property.