County hears pushback to data centers

Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita are grappling with a unified message of public disapproval regarding data center development, as residents voiced concerns at multiple meetings throughout March. With no specific zoning regulations for data centers currently in place, local government leaders began exploring the issue at the start of the year. On January 14, the Sedgwick County Commission initially imposed an interim development control for approximately three months, halting the consideration or issuance of data center permits. This period was intended for Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) staff to review and develop potential standards and regulations. The county commission later voted on March 4 to extend this interim control period until June 11. Wichita Planning Director Scott Wadle led a public open house on March 31, discussing the ongoing process and citing Kansas's Senate Bill 98 (effective July 1, 2025) as a key driver for increased data center proposals across the state. Residents raised concerns about water and power usage, environmental impacts, and health risks. Dr. Amy Seery, a local pediatrician, called for a three-year moratorium, advocating for more time to collect data on safety. Derby resident Anthony Myers questioned the economic benefits, noting that Senate Bill 98 provides a 20-year state and local tax exemption for data centers, which he believes benefits developers more than local residents. He argued that data centers create limited, often temporary, jobs. While no official proposals have been submitted in Sedgwick County, unofficial inquiries have been made. Derby City Planner Scott Knebel indicated that Derby is also updating its zoning amendments to prepare for potential data center applications within city limits, likely aligning with the regulations eventually decided upon by Wichita and Sedgwick County. Public feedback on potential regulations is being collected through an online survey until April 14.