Emporia City Commissioners Wednesday, took the first public steps in what leadership is calling the “infancy stage” of bringing a potential data center project to the community.
As part of their regular action meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to annex five properties, 647 US Highway 50, 640 Road 180, 1800 Road F, 1842 Road F and 600 Road 190, into the city limits. According to City Manager Trey Cocking, the annexations were made at the request of the landowners in connection with the recent announcement from KANZA Park Place LLC of plans to create a digital campus in Industrial Park IV.
Cocking also stated that this does not mean the project itself has been greenlit, saying this is just one of the approximately “20” or more steps in the process before the data center would ever become a physical reality. Cocking also stated during Wednesday’s meeting that if the project were not to move forward, the land would still be annexed into the city limits unless landowners asked for a reversal of said action.
The tentative plan for the data center calls for 1,000 acres of land on the north side of Industrial Park IV, just west of Americus Road, essentially using 11 tracts stretching from Road 170 to Road 190 between Roads F and G — with one exception, a large tract of land north of Jones Aquatic Center between the Kansas Turnpike, Road G and Road 190. Company names haven’t been released, but KANZA Park spokesman Garrett Nordstrom calls it a “hyperscale” project.
The commission’s action Wednesday came after nearly 90 minutes of public comments from Emporia residents regarding plans for the data center, almost all of which stated opposition to said plans. During those comments, several common themes began to appear, including concerns about water usage and its impact on the local water supply. Judith Bilyea, a freshwater biologist, expressed concerns for endangered species in the area.
Software developer Edgar Esparza cited concerns regarding a lack of clear regulations or requirements for the developers and potential “end user” of the center.
As for others, their main concerns were the suddenness of the announcement and lack of perceived communication with residents over the course of the initial discussions, which have been ongoing for roughly the last 8 months, according to Interim RDA President and CEO Lyle Butler. Another commonality among speakers on Wednesday was a request for a moratorium on data centers in Emporia, similar to action taken in Coffey County earlier this year, to allow time for more questions and fact-finding to take place.
Several residents also stated they were not trying to “impede progress,” however, they did not feel this was the right progress. Emporian George Hubka stated when it comes to matters such as this, ‘things can be done right and things can be done wrong, it could be a great opportunity for Emporia,” but we need to take time to ensure it is done right.
Mayor Becky Smith stated it is clear that a portion of residents are adamantly opposed to the possibility of the data center project, but she’s not sure that it is the majority of the community.
Regardless, Smith says this sort of feedback and comment is what the commission wants, not just for matters like this, but at all times.
Following Wednesday’s action, Commissioners expressed gratitude to all who spoke and noted again that this is a project that is not even out of the discussion phase entirely at this time. Commissioner Erren Harter stated that he understands many of the frustrations and questions expressed Wendesday, including the concerns regarding the suddenness of the announcement.
In response to calls for a moratorium as well as a public vote on the matter, KVOE News asked Harter if those are steps the city would consider. He says the city will likely be considering any options that present themselves as the process unfolds, but he could not give a definitive answer at this time.
Cocking, while speaking with KVOE News Wednesday, reiterated that this will be a long and involved process, but he will not advocate for anything that does not bring full benefits to the entirety of Emporia, saying he has some non-negotiables that have already been expressed.
As part of the ongoing development process, the Emporia Planning Commission has scheduled a special meeting, including a public hearing, at 6 pm on June 23 at White Auditorium. Board members will consider proposed language to create a Digital Infrastructure Overlay, or DI-O, for potentially approving the regulatory processes for possible development. If approved, the DI-O overlay will not impact existing land use. Site plan reviews and development agreements will be part of future projects presented to the city.
Emporia City Commissioners will be together for a public gathering next Wednesday, June 10th, at noon at the David Traylor Zoo for the annual Emporia Friends of the Zoo luncheon. No action will be taken during that time.
The next regular action and study meetings for the city will take place at 11 am inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium on Wednesday, June 17th.
