Center For Neighborhoods

08/14/2026

Here is a better map put together by the Highlands-Douglass Neighborhood Association, it overlays the neighborhoods with where the proposed Data Center regulations would allow for new Data Center developments. This would be after the recently passed moratorium is over.

Unlock the power of spatial analysis in the cloud

08/12/2026

Louisville is considering new rules for data center development—and the details matter for our neighborhoods.

Today, data centers have no dedicated category in Louisville’s Land Development Code. They can be approved as “telecommunication hotels,” with no size limits, dedicated public process, or data-center-specific environmental standards.

The proposed regulations would change that by introducing:

• Size-based zoning and a 500,000-square-foot cap
• Public hearings for large facilities• Setbacks from homes, schools, hospitals, and other sensitive uses
• Noise, utility, water, and environmental requirements
• Ownership disclosure and facility registration
• Local workforce provisions

Our analysis also identifies an important equity concern: the districts eligible for the largest data centers are concentrated in West Louisville, communities already carrying some of the city’s greatest environmental burdens.

Center for Neighborhoods compared the current code with the proposal so residents can understand what may change, what protections are included, and where questions remain.

Read the analysis: https://hub.centerforneighborhoods.org/datacenter-analysis.html

08/10/2026

You don't have to wait for the news to tell you what Metro Council is doing.

CivicPulse pulls directly from the city's official systems — legislation, agendas, discretionary spending, zoning applications — and puts it all in one place. Free. Live. No login required.

Swipe to see 4 things you can do right now.

hub.centerforneighborhoods.org

08/05/2026

Your council. Your money. Live.

CivicPulse is a free tool that puts Louisville Metro Council data in one place — legislation, spending, zoning, meetings. No login. No fee. Just the public record, finally easy to find.

Find your district. See what's being built near you. Bookmark it and come back.

hub.centerforneighborhoods.org

06/27/2026

06/26/2026

THE BUDGET PASSED
Last night Metro Council voted 22-3 to approve the FY2026-2027 budget with one abstention. $1.3 billion takes effect July 1.
Eight weeks ago we started breaking down this budget in plain language. Over 20 posts and 10 hearing sessions, we followed every dollar and every question Council asked. We covered 30+ departments across public safety, housing, social services, economic development, parks, the zoo, corrections, public health, the library, technology, codes, and emergency services.
We surfaced stories that matter to neighbors: One Louisville receiving $3M with zero Black and zero LGBTQ members on its executive committee, 44% of Public Health's general fund paying for the jail medical contract, a housing deficit of 36,160 units against $23.1 million in local investment, LMPD 132 officers short with $66 million in overtime over three years, and a first-year teacher who can barely afford a one-bedroom apartment in the city where she teaches.
Council cut the Affordable Housing Trust Fund from $15M to $10M, created a Housing Finance Agency, earmarked $1.4M for home repairs, put the external agency panel under review with "potential elimination" language, added $500K to the rainy day fund, and required quarterly reporting for One Louisville.
On the floor, Councilwoman McCraney said "nothing is more important than ensuring people have a safe, stable place to call home." Councilwoman Chapel said she received the amended billion-dollar budget at 2:41 PM and was expected to vote 20 minutes later. Councilwoman Hawkins said "if you don't fight, then you don't need to be in the seat."
But the budget vote happens once a year. The decisions that shape your neighborhood happen every week. Zoning cases, ordinances, committee votes, most in morning meetings while you are at work.
That is why we are launching CivicPulse, Center for Neighborhoods' civic information program. We track what is moving through Metro Council and put it in plain language so any Louisville resident can follow what their government is doing. Year-round.
The budget campaign showed you why this matters. CivicPulse is how you stay informed.
centerforneighborhoods.org

06/26/2026

THE BUDGET PASSED
Last night Metro Council voted 22-3 to approve the FY2026-2027 budget with one abstention. $1.3 billion takes effect July 1.
Eight weeks ago we started breaking down this budget in plain language. Over 20 posts and 10 hearing sessions, we followed every dollar and every question Council asked. We covered 30+ departments across public safety, housing, social services, economic development, parks, the zoo, corrections, public health, the library, technology, codes, and emergency services.
We surfaced stories that matter to neighbors: One Louisville receiving $3M with zero Black and zero LGBTQ members on its executive committee, 44% of Public Health's general fund paying for the jail medical contract, a housing deficit of 36,160 units against $23.1 million in local investment, LMPD 132 officers short with $66 million in overtime over three years, and a first-year teacher who can barely afford a one-bedroom apartment in the city where she teaches.
Council cut the Affordable Housing Trust Fund from $15M to $10M, created a Housing Finance Agency, earmarked $1.4M for home repairs, put the external agency panel under review with "potential elimination" language, added $500K to the rainy day fund, and required quarterly reporting for One Louisville.
On the floor, Councilwoman McCraney said "nothing is more important than ensuring people have a safe, stable place to call home." Councilwoman Chapel said she received the amended billion-dollar budget at 2:41 PM and was expected to vote 20 minutes later. Councilwoman Hawkins said "if you don't fight, then you don't need to be in the seat."
But the budget vote happens once a year. The decisions that shape your neighborhood happen every week. Zoning cases, ordinances, committee votes, most in morning meetings while you are at work.
That is why we are launching CivicPulse, Center for Neighborhoods' civic information program. We track what is moving through Metro Council and put it in plain language so any Louisville resident can follow what their government is doing. Year-round.
The budget campaign showed you why this matters. CivicPulse is how you stay informed.
centerforneighborhoods.org

06/23/2026

A CORRECTION ON JOSHUA COMMUNITY CONNECTORS
In our coverage of Monday's budget amendments, we described the Council action as "Joshua Community Connectors cut from approximately $1.3M to $100K." That was not accurate and we want to correct the record.
The Mayor's proposed budget contained two separate line items. Goodwill Industries of Kentucky received $1,300,000 through a department contract to operate the Joshua Community Connectors program. A separate $100,000 direct line for Joshua Community Connectors was also in the Mayor's budget.
What Council did on June 22 was eliminate the $1.3 million Goodwill Industries contract. The $100,000 Joshua direct line that was already in the Mayor's budget was kept, with mandatory quarterly reporting and a required August Budget Committee appearance added.
The $1.3 million in savings was redirected to over 20 community organizations.
This campaign exists to give you accurate information about your budget. When we get something wrong, we correct it.
Submit your budget comments: tinyurl.com/2026-metro-budget

06/23/2026

A CORRECTION ON JOSHUA COMMUNITY CONNECTORS
In our coverage of Monday's budget amendments, we described the Council action as "Joshua Community Connectors cut from approximately $1.3M to $100K." That was not accurate and we want to correct the record.
The Mayor's proposed budget contained two separate line items. Goodwill Industries of Kentucky received $1,300,000 through a department contract to operate the Joshua Community Connectors program. A separate $100,000 direct line for Joshua Community Connectors was also in the Mayor's budget.
What Council did on June 22 was eliminate the $1.3 million Goodwill Industries contract. The $100,000 Joshua direct line that was already in the Mayor's budget was kept, with mandatory quarterly reporting and a required August Budget Committee appearance added.
The $1.3 million in savings was redirected to over 20 community organizations.
This campaign exists to give you accurate information about your budget. When we get something wrong, we correct it.
Submit your budget comments: tinyurl.com/2026-metro-budget

06/23/2026

WHAT COUNCIL CHANGED BEFORE THE FINAL VOTE
The budget being voted on Thursday is not the budget the Mayor proposed in April. At today's special meeting, Council made significant amendments.
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund was cut from $15 million to $10 million. Last year it was cut from $15M to $12.5M. This year the cut is double. Louisville is 36,160 affordable units short and the city's primary housing tool just got smaller. But Council also directed new dollars: $1.4M for home repairs, $250K for down payment assistance, and $500K to launch a Housing Finance Agency as a permanent local financing platform.
Joshua Community Connectors was cut from approximately $1.3 million to $100,000 with mandatory quarterly reporting and an August hearing. The entire External Agency panel process is now under formal review with "potential elimination" on the table by December 31.
The Belvedere was cut $5 million. The rainy day fund got $500,000 after the Mayor proposed $0. Council passed a land value tax framework to incentivize development in the urban core and discourage land speculation.
Council also added reporting requirements across the budget: quarterly reports for One Louisville, health care cost research by October, AI cost savings projects from Technology, and a full external agency review by year end.
10 hearing sessions produced real accountability measures. The final vote is Thursday June 25 at 6 PM.
Submit your budget comments: tinyurl.com/2026-metro-budget