Will city have say in Shawnee Co. data center proposal? Topeka Mayor weighs in
Topeka Mayor Spencer Duncan is assessing the city's influence over a proposed data center in Shawnee County, located just outside city limits. Key concerns include the provision of water service, given the city's existing moratorium, and potential annexation, with legal staff actively reviewing the city's rights and obligations.
Topeka Mayor Spencer Duncan announced that the city's legal staff is investigating the extent of the city's authority and interest regarding a proposed data center development in Shawnee County. The data center project is located outside Topeka's city limits but within the county, raising questions about municipal oversight.
The Mayor identified two key areas of concern for the city: water service and potential annexation. He stated that if the developers request water service from Topeka, it would initiate a "very public conversation" with the city council and citizens, especially given the city's existing water moratorium. Furthermore, any discussion of annexation would open a "whole 'nother can of worms" requiring extensive public discourse.
Topeka's legal team is currently reviewing state laws and existing contracts with rural water districts, which source their water from the city, to understand the city's rights and legal obligations. While the project's zoning is largely a county issue, Mayor Duncan emphasized that the city is actively monitoring the situation due to its potential impact on Topeka's citizens and resources, aiming to be involved in ongoing conversations with the community, developers, and the county.