Georgetown-Scott County Planning Commission reviews draft ordinance for proposed data center

The Georgetown-Scott County Planning Commission is reviewing a draft ordinance related to data centers, according to WKYT. In remarks reported by the outlet, Commissioner Tristan Black said the commission is continuing to work on the text, including strengthening language in the proposal as part of the panel’s ongoing deliberations.

The review is taking place at the planning-commission level, where local officials typically consider land-use rules before any final approval steps. Black’s comments, as described by WKYT, indicate the ordinance is not yet treated as finalized and that the commission plans further refinement.

Black said the commission is continuing to strengthen language surrounding the ordinance. The statement points to a drafting phase in which commissioners assess how the proposed rules would be applied and how the text is framed for enforceability and clarity.

A planning-commission review process can affect how future development requests are handled, because local ordinance language often governs what conditions are required and how applications are evaluated. In this case, the draft is tied to data centers, an expanding land-use category that can raise recurring questions for local planning bodies regarding site development and community impacts.

WKYT’s report frames the meeting as part of a broader local process, with the planning commission acting as a step between community input and any later governing-body action. The outlet did not describe a finalized vote in the account provided, instead emphasizing that the commission is still reviewing and adjusting the draft language.

Black’s characterization of “continuing to strengthen” the ordinance language suggests commissioners are focusing on the wording itself rather than only discussing the concept of regulating data centers. That drafting work can include clarifying how requirements apply across locations within the jurisdiction and ensuring the rules are consistent with the county and city planning approach.

The next steps in the ordinance process would typically involve moving the draft forward for subsequent review and, if approved, incorporation into the applicable local regulatory framework. Until the commission completes its refinements, the draft remains subject to change through additional planning-commission action and whatever additional approvals are required under local procedures.