Lawrence City Commission interested in a moratorium on data center development.
The Lawrence City Commission is exploring a moratorium on data center development in response to strong public concerns. Residents expressed worries about water use, noise pollution, and electrical brownouts, prompting the commission to request a proposal for consideration within 30 days. Vice Mayor Mike Courtney proposed a moratorium concurrent with a planning department technical analysis to recommend potential restrictions.
The Lawrence City Commission is considering a moratorium on data center development following significant public opposition. During a recent meeting, the City Hall meeting room was at standing-room capacity, with residents holding signs and submitting numerous written comments expressing concerns about AI data centers.
Residents, including commenter Holly Krebs, proposed a three-year moratorium to halt current applications and disallow new ones in Lawrence, citing potential impacts such as excessive water use, noise pollution, and electrical brownouts. The current Land Development Code permits data centers by right in industrial zoning districts without requiring a City Commission vote.
Vice Mayor Mike Courtney suggested a data center moratorium that would run concurrently with a technical analysis by the planning department. This analysis aims to provide the department with time to review data centers thoroughly and recommend appropriate restrictions. The commission has directed staff to bring back a formal proposal for consideration within the next 30 days, though no vote or specific action was taken at Tuesday's meeting.