Shawnee County hires firm to vet data center plans
Shawnee County commissioners approved hiring Cook, Flatt & Strobel Engineers (CFS) to provide technical review for data center zoning and land use applications. The firm will assist with objective, third-party reviews and recommendations, including for environmental and noise protections. The county has an enacted six-month moratorium on new data center applications, but is proceeding with the review of a Conditional Use Permit application from Compass Datacenters, which was recently deemed complete.
Shawnee County, Kansas, commissioners have approved a contract with Cook, Flatt & Strobel Engineers (CFS) to provide technical review and consulting services for data center zoning and land use applications. The firm will conduct objective third-party reviews of engineering plans, studies, and documentation, ensuring compliance with regulations and industry standards, and will offer technical recommendations to county staff and decision-making bodies. Shawnee County counselor Rich Eckert noted that CFS was the sole bidder due to a requirement that applicants not have current data center clients.
The engineering firm is expected to evaluate the site plan for a currently proposed data center in Shawnee County. Eckert emphasized the importance of drafting Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) with protections for the environment and noise levels, even if commissioners intend to vote against a project. If a CUP is approved, CFS will also serve as an enforcement mechanism for potential future issues.
The county had enacted a six-month moratorium on data center applications on August 13. Despite this, the moratorium allows for the continued review and evaluation of the pending application from Compass Datacenters. Compass Datacenters initially submitted a Conditional Use Permit application on July 24, which was deemed incomplete on August 4 by the Shawnee County Land Use & Development. However, as of September 9, their second submission for CUP-26-203 was deemed complete.