Data center déjà vu: Another Kansas city argues ban can’t be brought by petition
The Rose Hill City Council rejected a petition-backed effort to place an ordinance banning certain data centers on the ballot. Although the petition collected 230 signatures, the council determined the proposed ban was administrative rather than legislative and could not be enacted through petition under state law.
The Rose Hill City Council declined to put a proposed ordinance banning certain data centers before voters. Supporters collected 230 signatures, nearly 100 more than required, but the council concluded that the measure would address administrative decisions rather than legislative policy.
Council members said the petition’s wording would prevent the city from applying specialized knowledge to individual situations. The decision means the proposed data center ban will not proceed to the ballot through the petition process.