Emporia police remove audience member during heated data center zoning meeting
During a tense Emporia City Commission meeting, residents voiced strong opposition to a proposed Digital Infrastructure Overlay District intended for data centers and battery energy storage systems. Despite the pushback, which included a police removal and arrest of an audience member, the city commissioners unanimously approved the zoning change. The decision allows for future data center projects, with city officials stating they have conducted due diligence on potential impacts.
An Emporia City Commission meeting became heated as residents expressed strong opposition to the creation of a Digital Infrastructure Overlay District, which would facilitate the development of data centers and battery energy storage systems. Following one woman's speech, an individual in the audience clapped in support, prompting Mayor Becky Smith to call the police chief to remove them. The person refused to leave voluntarily and was forcibly removed and arrested, cited for disorderly conduct and interference with law enforcement.
Despite the pushback and ongoing protests from Emporia residents, the City Commissioners unanimously approved the zoning change, officially creating the Digital Infrastructure Overlay District. Residents voiced concerns that data centers would not deliver on promises of economic progress and would instead harm public health and the environment. Opposition has grown since a company initiated plans for a potential "digital campus" in the city in early June.
Mayor Becky Smith acknowledged hearing from the public but stated that the city has conducted its due diligence in understanding the potential impacts of data centers, particularly health concerns, which she emphasized are a critical consideration. The city's decision solely approves the establishment of the special district for future projects, not any specific development agreement.