03/18/2026
❗ Like, comment, and Share please ❗
To the Editor,
In January, the Oldham County Fiscal Court faced a clear decision on the proposed data center regulations recommended by the Planning Commission. The Fiscal Court had one of three decisions; they could approve, reject, or take no action—after 90 days of inaction(after the Planning Commission Recs), the regulations would automatically take effect. With the deadline approaching unnoticed, the Fiscal Court, under the guidance of County Attorney Berry Baxter, voted to reject the ordinance and return it to Planning and Development for further review.
The Planning Commission will meet on March 24th to discuss the next steps. They could amend their prior recommendations, revisit the process internally, or pass the regulations again for Fiscal Court review. Complicating matters, County Judge-Executive David Voegele has proposed increasing the definition of a “medium” data center from 100,000 to 200,000 square feet per building, closely aligning with Western Hospitality Partners’ proposal. If adopted, this could classify hyperscale data centers as “medium,” allowing for far larger developments than many residents anticipated. Phase Two reportedly includes six additional buildings on property owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky at the Kentucky State Reformatory. Listen to the audio, phase 2 is clearly defined by the developers, and former Planning and Development Director Jim Urban.
These are not simply technical zoning issues—they impact the character of Oldham County for current and future residents. Several magistrates of the Fiscal Court noted that Industrial Park Development (IPD) should be removed from the definitions of large or hyperscale data centers, as facilities of this scale align with heavy industrial use...Returning the ordinance for further review was the responsible choice.
Oldham County also highlights the need for honest, transparent economic development. Western Hospitality Partners proposal was speculative and presented to a local government with little precedent for regulating such large facilities. The use was not clearly defined in local ordinance, leaving residents with legitimate concerns about neighborhood impacts, and larger regional power rate increases. Across Kentucky, citizens are demanding safeguards against rising electric costs. The Industry claims to pay their “fair share,” but there is no guarantee that necessary infrastructure—transmission lines, additional generation, or new power plants—will be addressed. Costs will reach billions, and rate changes will be adjusted accordingly throughout our Commonwealth in the absence of state regulation.
Residents have spoken up because they care deeply about this community. Groups like “We Are Oldham County LLC.” have helped highlight the need for clear rules and responsible planning. The goal is not to stop progress but to ensure it happens in the right place. Hyperscale data centers belong in planned heavy industrial parks, not beside residential areas, schools, or public parks.
At its core, this issue is about protecting Oldham County, its people and it’s future. Without thoughtful planning for sustainable growth, Oldham County risks being shaped by outside interests rather than the people who live here. Residents deserve transparency, careful planning, and leaders willing to prioritize the long-term interests of the community above short-term speculative growth.
Sincerely,
Nathan Oberg
