Springfield data center debate moves to City Council after commission vote
Springfield's Planning and Zoning Commission approved proposed definitions for different types of data centers and advanced the issue to the City Council. The commission also pushed the temporary moratorium on new data center applications from Nov. 17 to Feb. 24, while opponents said they would continue attending public meetings.
Springfield's Planning and Zoning Commission voted to advance proposed city-code definitions for data centers, including accessory, micro and large-load facilities. The definitions distinguish facilities partly by their size and power consumption and will go to the Springfield City Council for discussion and a possible vote later in October.
The commission also moved the end date of an already delayed temporary moratorium on new data center applications from Nov. 17 to Feb. 24. Susan Hume, an opponent of data centers in Springfield, criticized the decision but said she would continue participating in upcoming meetings. Cecil Lyons, a candidate for Missouri Senate District 30, attended the meeting and urged commissioners to allow the moratorium to expire.