Independence responds to residents’ lawsuit over council-approved AI data center

Independence responds to residents’ lawsuit over council-approved AI data center

News ClipKSHB 41 Kansas City·Independence, Jackson County, MO·3/18/2026

Independence residents have filed a lawsuit attempting to force a public vote on a previously approved AI data center project, but the city argues its charter prevents such referendums. The city's legal response asserts that ordinances related to contracts and those taking immediate effect are exempt from public votes, potentially blocking the residents' efforts to halt the $150 billion Nebius project.

oppositiongovernmentlegal
Gov: Independence City Council, Independence Power & Light
Independence said its City Charter forbids citizen-initiated referendums related to ordinances like the one authorizing tax incentives for a massive data center in the Little Blue Valley.