Planning Commission Zoning (Sub) Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Zoning Committee met on July 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. ET at the Phoenix Building, 3rd Floor Conference Room, with Chair Davis presiding. The Committee considered four agenda items, took four motions and votes, and heard four public comments during the session.

Of the four items on the agenda, two were approved and two were postponed. The Committee approved PLN-MAR-26-00013 concerning the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 452 Building Corporation and PLN-ZOTA-26-00004, an amendment to Solar Energy Systems regulations. The Committee postponed consideration of PLN-ZOTA-26-00006 regarding Attended Donation Center Regulations and PLN-ZOTA-26-00008 concerning Data Center Regulations.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the Commission meeting on July 2, 2026:

• Chair Davis
• Dalton
• Jeremy Young
• Chris
• Cheryl
• Scott
• Commissioner Molly Davis
• MR. Michler
• MR. Wilson
• MR. Nichol
• MR. Forester

No members were absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

PLN-MAR-26-13: Zone Change for Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 452 Building Corporation 25:22

The Commission voted unanimously to approve a zone change for Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 452 Building Corporation. The motion was made by MR. Wilson and seconded by Commissioner Molly Davis. All six commissioners voted in favor: Chair Davis, MR. Michler, MR. Wilson, Commissioner Molly Davis, MR. Nichol, and MR. Forester. The approval included conditions provided by staff, with restrictions numbers one, six, seven, and nine struck from the restrictions list.

Solar Energy Systems Regulations 1:12:26

The Commission voted unanimously to approve staff alternative text for solar energy systems with modifications. The motion was made by MR. Michler and seconded by Commissioner Molly Davis. All six commissioners voted in favor. The approval included a modification to return intermediate scale solar to a conditional use permit with additional criteria.

PLN-ZOTA-26-00006: Attended Donation Center Regulations 1:38:56

The Commission voted unanimously to postpone consideration of PLN-ZOTA-26-00006 Attended Donation Center Regulations. The motion was made by MR. Wilson and seconded by Commissioner Molly Davis. All six commissioners voted in favor of the postponement.

PLN-ZOTA-26-00008: Data Center Regulations 2:08:04

The Commission voted unanimously to postpone consideration of PLN-ZOTA-26-00008 Data Center Regulations. The motion was made by MR. Nichol and seconded by MR. Forester. All six commissioners voted in favor of the postponement.

Public Comment

Four public comments were submitted during the July 2, 2026 Commission meeting.

Amy Clark addressed three separate topics:

• Zoning for Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 452 Building Corporation 23:17: Clark expressed concerns about traffic and the potential uses of the property, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of community impact.

• Solar Energy Systems ZOTA 54:12: Clark raised concerns about the brownfield exemption and the potential for solar energy systems to occupy valuable infill land.

• Attended Donation Center Regulations 1:36:08: Clark expressed concerns about the potential for warehousing and distribution without a retail component, suggesting that such uses belong in B-4 zones.

Dean Pulsifer addressed one topic:

• Data Center Regulations 2:03:15: Pulsifer emphasized the need to separate artificial intelligence concerns from data center regulations and ensure local businesses can operate server rooms without excessive restrictions.

Contested Items

The Commission addressed two contentious matters during the July 2, 2026 meeting.

Solar Energy Systems in Agricultural Zones

The Commission engaged in significant discussion regarding whether intermediate scale solar installations should be permitted in agricultural zones. The primary disagreement centered on land use policy and economic impact. Concerns were raised about the implications of allowing solar energy systems in areas designated for agricultural purposes, though the specific positions of individual commissioners and the final outcome were not detailed in the available meeting records.

Data Center Regulations

The Commission held a heated discussion on data center regulations, with focus on determining appropriate size parameters and assessing potential impacts. Commissioners expressed concerns about local economic development effects and infrastructure capacity related to data center operations. The specific nature of the regulatory disagreement and any resolution reached were not documented in the available materials.

PLN-MAR-26-00013: Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 452 Building Corporation

1:56

This agenda item addressed a petition for a zone map amendment affecting property located at 1770 and 1800 Harrodsburg Road. The proposal sought to rezone the parcels from a Single-Family Residential (R-1C) zone to a Corridor Business (B-3) zone.

Key speakers during the discussion included Dalton, Chris, and Scott. The Commission considered the presented information regarding the zone change request for the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 452 Building Corporation.

The Commission voted to approve the zone map amendment, changing the designation of the subject properties from R-1C to B-3 zoning.

PLN-ZOTA-26-00004: Amendment to Solar Energy Systems

This agenda item addressed a text amendment to establish regulations for large-scale solar energy systems in agricultural zones, create provisions for brownfield development, and develop criteria for review of such projects 1:28:36.

Presentation and Discussion

Traci Wade presented the amendment to the Commission. The proposal focused on creating a comprehensive framework to govern solar energy systems development, particularly in agricultural areas, while also addressing opportunities for brownfield site utilization.

Key Components

The amendment included: - Regulations for large-scale solar energy systems in agricultural zones - Provisions to facilitate brownfield development - Established criteria for project review and approval

Outcome

The Commission approved the amendment.

PLN-ZOTA-26-00006: Attended Donation Center Regulations

Item: II.b

Type: Text Amendment

Summary

This agenda item addressed a text amendment to add a new definition for attended donation centers and allow their use in specific zones.

Presentation

An Applicant Representative presented on this matter 1:29:46.

Outcome

The Commission postponed consideration of this item.

PLN-ZOTA-26-00008: Data Center Regulations

Agenda Item: II.c

Type: Text Amendment

Overview

This agenda item addressed a text amendment to create regulations pertaining to data center uses. The proposed regulations are designed to address operational impacts including power grid effects, water consumption, and noise levels.

Presentation and Discussion

Daniel presented on this matter 1:39:28.

Outcome

The Commission postponed action on PLN-ZOTA-26-00008.