De Soto debates new data center, other development ordinances on environment, water, transparency
De Soto, Kansas, is actively debating and proposing new ordinances to address community concerns stemming from two potential data center projects, focusing on environmental health, noise, water, and transparency. City leaders and residents are working to establish new regulations, including a non-disclosure agreement policy, dark skies ordinance, and urban forestry ordinance. Public work sessions are planned for feedback, with a vote expected by the end of the year.
De Soto, Kansas, is in the process of developing new ordinances to address a range of community concerns prompted by two potential data center projects. Residents have expressed worries regarding transparency, environmental health, noise, and water usage, leading to a push for updated city regulations.
City Council Member Zack Bradley is championing several proposed ordinances, including a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) policy aimed at increasing public transparency by prohibiting NDAs on information not protected by the Kansas Open Records Act. The city is also considering creating an Environmental Health and Compliance Officer position. Additional proposals include a Dark Skies Ordinance to manage light pollution from industrial facilities and an Urban Forestry Ordinance designed to preserve tree coverage and the city's rural-urban character during development.
Furthermore, De Soto is seeking consultation to shape a new noise ordinance specifically tailored to the unique impact of hyperscale data centers, an issue many cities have not previously addressed. A well-drilling ordinance is also under consideration to protect the municipal water system by restricting private well drilling near city connections. Resident Sara VanDeCreek lauded the proposed ordinances as a positive step, emphasizing the need for open community engagement as development progresses.
Public work sessions are scheduled to gather feedback on these ordinances, with dates to be announced. The De Soto City Council anticipates a vote on the proposals by the end of the year, intending for the new regulations to apply to both current data center projects and future industrial development.