Developer withdraws property annexation for proposed Buchanan County data center

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- A St. Joseph businessman withdrew his annexation application Friday for his property that would potentially house a data center.

Steve Craig told KQ2 Friday afternoon that he withdrew his application for the rezoning and annexation of his property on 6321 Southeast Pickett Road.

Craig said the ongoing conversations and debates surrounding data centers made for a good time to take a step back and re-evaluate the situation.

"We thought that while this debate is going on and underway, we would pause the situation and evaluate other options as well," Craig said.

The City of St. Joseph released a statement around 5 p.m. on Friday regarding Craig's decision:

"A developer has withdrawn two applications submitted to the City of St. Joseph related to a proposed project on Pickett Road.

Capstone Technology Campus requested the annexation of 6321 Pickett Road and the rezoning of both 6321 and 5701 Pickett Road as part of a proposed data center development. At the developer's request, both applications have been withdrawn.

As a result, the rezoning request will no longer be considered by the Planning Commission at its July 23 meeting, and neither the rezoning nor the annexation request will move forward to the St. Joseph City Council for consideration.

In addition, the informational town hall meeting with the developer and utility providers, previously scheduled for July 16, has been canceled.

The withdrawal closes the current applications. Any future proposal would require the submission of new applications and follow the City's standard review process."