City to hear ordinances to hire data center consultants
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The City of St. Joseph said its City Council will hear the first readings of two proposed ordinances related to establishing zoning and development guidelines for potential data center projects.
The ordinances will be read at the 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, meeting in the Council Chamber on the third floor of City Hall.
According to a news release, city staff is recommending contracts with GBA Inc. and Renew Missouri Advocates following a request for proposals process seeking firms with the expertise to assist with the work.
A proposed contract from GBA details that the company would provide recommendations for zoning revisions and development guidelines for $42,440.
A contract with Renew Missouri Advocates would provide primarily community outreach and zoning legal services for $10,750.
Funding for both contracts would come out of the city's general fund.
On July 21, the city initiated a 12-month pause on new data center applications. The pause aims to provide City staff, councilmembers, and the community with an opportunity to examine issues associated with data centers and to consider appropriate regulations for St. Joseph.
Currently, St. Joseph does not have zoning regulations specifically addressing data centers.
The city said it is evaluating what requirements may be appropriate for data center development. In addition, the city also said there are no data center applications submitted or awaiting action in St. Joseph.
According to a city news release, local governments cannot prohibit a lawful type of business from operating within their jurisdictions; however, cities can use zoning and development regulations to establish reasonable requirements governing where and how certain types of businesses operate.
Potential zoning and development requirements could address issues such as location, setbacks, landscaping and buffering, building design, infrastructure, noise, light, utility usage, environmental considerations and other characteristics of development.
The city said residents will have opportunities to participate in the public process as recommendations are developed.
Participation opportunities include attending public meetings of the Planning Commission and City Council, where residents can provide public comment, as well as community forums and other opportunities.
The city said information about upcoming meetings and opportunities for public input will be shared through the city's regular communication channels.
Both ordinances are scheduled for a second reading and potential vote at the Monday, Oct. 12 City Council meeting, unless the Council takes other action.
Additionally, the city has a web page at www.stjosephmo.gov/1179/Data-Center-Information, available for residents to keep an eye on development, including zoning and the discussion process. The city said it will update the web page as additional information becomes available.
