Georgetown-Scott County planning commission posts draft data center ordinance for public comment

The Scott County Planning Commission has posted a draft data center ordinance for public review, giving residents and business owners a chance to comment before the county moves further on potential rules for where and how data centers could be built in the Georgetown area. The draft was made available for community feedback on August 20, 2026, according to WKYT’s report.

The Planning Commission’s action is part of a public process that typically precedes formal consideration by local bodies, allowing the county to gather input on proposed standards and requirements. The WKYT report did not describe specific provisions in the draft, but the posting itself indicates that Scott County is preparing an ordinance framework rather than addressing applications case by case.

Data centers have been expanding in many parts of the country as technology companies invest in infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence and large-scale computing. WKYT’s accompanying image caption referenced that broader national trend, describing the “global race to control artificial intelligence” and a corresponding increase in data center development.

While specific requirements in the draft ordinance were not detailed in the WKYT account, ordinances for complex facilities commonly address land-use compatibility, site planning expectations, utilities and infrastructure connections, and development standards that can affect nearby neighborhoods. The community comment period is intended to surface local concerns that may not be visible from an application alone, such as traffic impacts, utility demands, lighting and landscaping issues, and other impacts residents often associate with large industrial-style projects.

The posted draft also creates a documented baseline for the county’s next steps. After feedback is received, the Planning Commission would be positioned to incorporate comments into its recommendations, including whether any changes are needed to address community questions or clarify expectations for applicants.

For residents, the immediate practical effect is that there is now a public version of the county’s proposed rules to evaluate. That matters because data center projects can require long lead times for engineering, permitting, and construction, and local zoning or ordinance standards can shape timelines for future applications as well as how development may be evaluated.

The next major step will depend on how the Planning Commission schedules review of the draft and the duration of the public comment period. WKYT reported the ordinance was posted for community feedback as of August 20, and the county’s subsequent actions would follow once the Planning Commission compiles public input and determines what revisions, if any, should be recommended.