Company submits data center proposal in Shawnee County
Compass Datacenters has submitted a Conditional Use Permit application for a data center in Shawnee County, Kansas, which is currently under review. This proposed project faces ongoing public opposition from residents, and Topeka city leaders recently enacted a one-year moratorium on data center development.
Compass Datacenters has submitted a Conditional Use Permit application to Shawnee County officials for a proposed data center located on Southwest 85th Street in the Wakarusa area, southwest of Topeka. Shawnee County spokeswoman Amanda Monhollon confirmed the application was received on July 24 and is undergoing an initial review by the Planning Department for completeness.
Following the review, the application will be scheduled for a public hearing before the Shawnee County Planning Commission, which will then make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for a final vote. Compass Datacenters is slated to hold a public open house on July 28 at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka to discuss the project.
The proposal comes amidst local opposition, with Shawnee County residents having voiced concerns at a June 11 county commission meeting. Additionally, Topeka city leaders recently approved a one-year moratorium on data center projects within the city to allow for further impact assessment. Monhollon stated that Shawnee County evaluates each application based on its merits and existing regulations, not taking a position prior to the public review process.