Two new data centers are eyeing De Soto. Residents want more protections in place
Residents in De Soto, Kansas, are actively opposing proposals for two new hyperscale data centers by Digital Realty and Beale Infrastructure, citing concerns over water usage, noise, and environmental impacts. They are demanding the city implement strict caps on water and power, ban tax incentives, and update noise ordinances, while the City Council is considering new regulations.
Two significant data center projects are being proposed in De Soto, a city in western Johnson County, Kansas, sparking strong opposition from residents. Digital Realty, the world's largest data center provider, presented initial plans for a nine-building campus on 1,400 acres in the Ad Astra Enterprise Park. Simultaneously, San Francisco-based Beale Infrastructure is advancing a $3 billion proposal for a four-building, 2 million square foot hyperscale data center adjacent to the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant site.
Residents, including Melissa Noel and Jennifer Sharp, voiced concerns at a City Council meeting about the projects' potential environmental and health impacts, high water usage, and noise from 24/7 operations. They are advocating for a townwide cap on data center power and water use, a ban on property tax incentives for developers like Digital Realty, and strict low-frequency noise limits. Similar community opposition in nearby Gardner and Spring Hill led to project withdrawals, though a project in Edgerton is still pending.
Digital Realty representatives, including Rafal Rak and Enrique Bellido, emphasized their commitment to transparency and responsible development, citing plans for infrastructure improvements, LEED certifications, and water management strategies like a storage facility and a proposed industrial wastewater treatment plant to recycle water. However, the De Soto City Council has not yet approved any plans, with City Administrator Mike Brungardt stating staff are exploring new noise level regulations and setback studies.