Joplin passes data center regulations by narrow vote
The Joplin City Council narrowly passed new regulations for future data centers in the city with a 5-4 vote. Despite public appeals for a special use permit to allow public hearings on new projects, this provision was not included in the final ordinance. The approved regulations include extended setbacks, noise limits, and water usage restrictions.
The Joplin City Council voted 5 to 4 to pass new standards and regulations for data centers within the city, following a second and final reading. This decision came after nearly an hour and a half of public comment, where a majority of speakers advocated for the ordinance to include a special use permit provision. This permit would have mandated public hearings for future data center projects.
While this special use permit was part of the original ordinance, some council members argued against its necessity, stating that existing regulations were sufficient. The only change made to the ordinance before its final passage was to extend the setback distance from residential and public use areas from 300 to 600 feet. The newly enacted four-page ordinance also includes specific limits on noise and water usage for data center operations.
One council member indicated that if a property owner meets the established rules, an additional layer of government approval should not be required to operate a business.