Emporia City Commission considers data center zoning changes
The Emporia City Commission unanimously approved a Digital Infrastructure Overlay District to establish specific zoning regulations for data centers, despite a tense meeting that led to an arrest. Residents have expressed strong opposition, with a petition to ban data centers recently certified, requiring city officials to either adopt the ordinance or put it to a public vote.
The Emporia City Commission in Kansas has unanimously approved the creation of a Digital Infrastructure Overlay District, which will establish specific zoning regulations for data centers. The decision followed a contentious meeting where an attendee was arrested for disorderly conduct by Emporia Police.
The city's Zoning and Planning Commission had recommended these changes, which also included considering rezoning 11 tracts for industrial use and incorporating them into the new district. However, the approved changes do not automatically permit construction; any data center project will still undergo a detailed approval process.
The proposal has faced significant resistance from local residents. A petition advocating for a ban on data centers in Emporia was recently certified by the Lyon County Election Office. This certification mandates that city officials either enact the proposed ordinance or present the issue to voters for a public decision.