Independence hits pause on data centers as Nebius construction moves forward
The Independence City Council unanimously enacted a six-month moratorium on new data center approvals, citing outdated zoning rules. This pause does not affect an ongoing Nebius data center project, which has already broken ground. Residents near the Nebius site are expressing frustration over construction impacts and the limited scope of the moratorium.
The Independence City Council in Missouri has unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on new data center approvals, effective immediately. The decision came after Councilman Brice Stewart highlighted that the city's existing regulations, dating back to 2022, were not designed to adequately address the scale and complexity of modern data center developments.
This moratorium, however, specifically applies only to new proposals and does not impact the ongoing construction of a Nebius data center, which broke ground in May. The council's action also included a temporary ban on new battery energy storage sites, mirroring similar moratoriums recently adopted in neighboring Jackson County and Kansas City.
City Manager Troy Anderson confirmed that staff had already begun drafting code amendments in anticipation of the council's vote. Upcoming proposed zoning changes, scheduled for review by the Planning Commission next week, aim to reclassify large data centers (over 2.5 megawatts) from a 'use by right' to a 'special use permit,' thereby requiring more rigorous public scrutiny and review.
Despite the city's efforts, residents like Howard Hoff, who lives near the Nebius construction site, expressed disappointment that the moratorium does not halt existing projects. Daniel Moorehead, leader of the Independence Guard Alliance, criticized the moratorium as a "half measure" for not applying to current construction. Moorehead's group, which had advocated for a broader pause, indicated a readiness to pursue legal action if their demands for a full site plan from Nebius are not met.