Joplin city council votes on data center regulations
The Joplin City Council approved new regulations for data centers, ending a months-long debate. The decision, which passed 5-4, establishes specific use standards, including a 600-foot setback from residential areas and requirements for closed-loop cooling systems. Residents had previously launched a petition drive against the proposed data center at Wildwood Ranch, but it fell short of signatures.
The Joplin City Council voted 5-4 to approve new regulations for data centers, concluding a contentious debate that has divided the community for months. The controversy began earlier in the year when the council passed ordinances intended to facilitate a proposed 540-acre data center at Wildwood Ranch.
Residents initiated a petition to force a public vote on the issue, but it did not gather the necessary signatures. Prior to the vote, several residents voiced concerns, particularly about the council's decision to remove all references to special use permits from the ordinance. One resident expressed gratitude for the inclusion of environmental protections but lamented the lack of citizen involvement in future data center propositions.
Key aspects of the newly established regulations include specific use standards for data center facilities within the city's heavy industrial district, which now encompasses Wildwood Ranch. The council also approved a 600-foot setback from residential areas, an increase from the originally proposed 300 feet. Additional regulations mandate noise limits of 45 dB near homes and require closed-loop cooling systems to reduce water consumption.