Oldham County Imposes 150-Day Moratorium on Data Center Development

The Oldham County Fiscal Court has enacted a 150-day moratorium on all data center applications and approvals, including current proposals, with a 4-2 vote, amid strong community opposition and concerns about improper local government dealings. Western Hospitality Partners initially proposed a $6 billion data center project, which faced backlash and was later scaled down to a site at the Sauerbeck Family Drive-in. The moratorium includes no exemptions, reflecting efforts to prevent spot zoning and ensure comprehensive land-use regulations. The nonprofit group We Are Oldham County, formed to oppose the data centers, hailed the moratorium as a significant victory and urged officials to use this period to develop sound zoning policies. Meanwhile, political tensions surfaced when Judge Executive David Voegele fired Deputy Judge Executive Joe Ender, who alleged Voegele colluded with the developer to secure zoning favors in exchange for promises of community amenities, sparking whistleblower claims. Despite the moratorium, some officials expressed concerns about potential legal risks, but the community remains focused on strong regulatory frameworks to govern future data center development.