What Shawnee County officials are saying about data centers
Shawnee County officials anticipate data center and battery storage system applications within two months and are preparing to clarify zoning regulations for such facilities. The county sees potential for significant tax revenue to lower the mill levy, but also acknowledges public concerns about power consumption and noise. The Board of County Commissioners is expected to consider a zoning ordinance change to establish a conditional-use permit process for large-scale data centers.
Shawnee County is preparing for the potential development of data centers and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities, with County Counselor Rich Eckert confirming that applications are expected within the next two months. While specific developers remain unnamed, discussions with a company interested in a data center south of Topeka have been ongoing, as reported by The Capital-Journal and confirmed by GO Topeka president Rhiannon Friedman.
The county's Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to vote on June 11 on a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would require large-scale data centers to obtain a conditional-use permit, rather than proceeding under existing industrial zoning. Commissioner Aaron Mays characterized this as a