De Soto Planning Commission Approves Digital Realty Data Center Project Despite Opposition

The De Soto Planning Commission has approved Digital Realty's proposal for a two-story, 450,000-square-foot data center on Lexington Avenue, near the Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant. The commission voted 5-2 in favor of the project, which represents the first phase of a larger nine-building campus Digital Realty plans to develop on 1,400 acres in the Ad Astra Enterprise Park. Commissioners Chad Martin and John Shultz voted against the project, citing too many unknowns regarding its impact.

Residents of De Soto have actively opposed data center development, expressing concerns about high water usage, potential contamination, and health impacts from the energy-intensive, 24/7 operations. They have formed a coalition and are collecting signatures for a petition to ban data centers within city limits. City Attorney Patrick Reavey noted that while the petition is in early stages, the Planning Commission's approval would still allow the project to advance to the City Council.

Digital Realty's initial proposal, which has seen its total footprint shrink from 3 million to 1.5 million square feet due to a change in relationship with a potential operator, includes sound mitigation systems and a new, private substation owned by Evergy, along with 41 diesel generators for backup power. Community Development Director Brad Weisenburger confirmed the first phase would be a 61-foot tall building. The city is also reviewing its noise ordinance, and City Attorney Reavey stated that any new regulations would apply to the data center without grandfathering. The project, including potential tax incentives, still requires final approval from the City Council.