Ottawa commissioners face deadline on data center petition
Residents in Ottawa, Kansas, have submitted 658 verified signatures for a petition ordinance that would ban large-scale data centers within city limits. City commissioners have 20 days to approve the ordinance, or it will go to voters in November. The city is currently in a sales contract with Lightfield Energy for a potential data center development on 300 acres.
Residents in Ottawa, Kansas, are actively opposing a potential data center development, following similar movements in other cities like Independence. On August 7th, the Franklin County Clerk delivered 658 verified signatures for a petition ordinance to Ottawa City Hall. This proposed ordinance aims to ban large-scale data centers within city limits.
Ottawa city manager Thatcher Motti advised commissioners to seek outside legal counsel regarding the petition. The city commissioners now face a 20-day deadline to either approve the ordinance, or it will be placed on the November ballot for voters to decide. The petition was written by Jessica Christopher, who emphasized the community's desire to have a say in local development, stating, "The people of Ottawa have spoken."
The city is currently engaged in a sales contract with Lightfield Energy for the potential development of a data center on a 300-acre site, a topic of significant local discussion. Business owner Katherine Yoey, who provided her salon as a signing location for the petition, highlighted the widespread community concern.