Second hyper-scale data center moves forward in De Soto amid petition efforts to ban development
Digital Realty's proposed hyper-scale data center in De Soto, Kansas, has received Phase One site plan approval from the city's planning commission, with construction slated for 2027. Despite this, local residents are actively circulating a petition to ban high-impact data center developments, aiming for a public vote. The legality of such citizen-led petitions under state law is currently a point of discussion.
The De Soto, Kansas, Planning Commission has granted Phase One site plan approval for Digital Realty's proposed hyper-scale data center, known as Project Jayhawk, which will feature a two-story, 450,000-square-foot building on 300 acres adjacent to the Panasonic EV Battery Plant. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2027, with site preparations already underway.
However, the project faces ongoing opposition from De Soto residents who have launched a petition drive to ban high-impact data center developments through a public vote. This citizen-led initiative, similar to efforts seen in other Kansas towns like Edgerton and Ottawa, aims to place the issue on a future ballot. El Dorado, Kansas, successfully advanced a similar petition to its November ballot.
The legality of these petitions is being debated, as state law distinguishes between administrative and legislative decisions; petitions can create new city policy but may not override existing administrative decisions. If deemed legislative, De Soto's petition could lead to a special election as early as March. De Soto city officials are scheduled to consider setting a public hearing date for the next phase of Digital Realty's development. Separately, Beale Infrastructure had previously broken ground on another data center project in De Soto earlier this year.