Police remove audience member during heated data center zoning meeting
An Emporia City Commission meeting regarding data center zoning became heated, leading to a resident's arrest for disorderly conduct. The commission unanimously approved a Digital Infrastructure Overlay District and rezoned industrial tracts for data centers, despite strong resident opposition and a certified petition seeking a ban. Residents voiced concerns about economic promises, health, and environmental impacts.
An Emporia City Commission meeting on Wednesday concerning zoning regulations for data centers devolved into a tense situation, culminating in the removal and arrest of a 37-year-old audience member by police on suspicion of disorderly conduct and interference with law enforcement.
Despite the disruption, the City Commission voted unanimously to establish a Digital Infrastructure Overlay District, creating specific zoning regulations for data centers. They also unanimously approved rezoning 11 tracts for industrial use and incorporating them into the new district. These decisions followed a recommendation for approval from the city’s Zoning and Planning Commission.
The measures have ignited strong opposition from Emporia residents, with a petition seeking to ban data centers in the city recently certified by the Lyon County Election Office. City officials now face a choice: either adopt the ordinance proposed by the petition or put the question to a public vote. Residents fear data centers will not deliver economic progress and will harm public health and the environment, with some accusing the city of betraying its constituents. Mayor Becky Smith acknowledged public input but defended the city's due diligence, citing health concerns as a critical consideration and noting the city's water capacity differs from areas facing aquifer issues. She also emphasized the potential for such projects to help stabilize the local economy after recent job losses. While the approved changes only establish the district and do not green-light specific construction, opponents view any policy shift open to data centers as negative.