St. Joseph City Council withdraws GBA Inc. contract for data center development, approves Mitchell Avenue rezoning
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The St. Joseph City Council voted to withdraw the contract with GBA Inc. for data center development.
At the last meeting, several residents urged council members to consider how data center development could affect the community, with some also raising concerns about the proposed contract with GBA Inc.
According to its website, GBA Inc. provides turnkey data center services for handling the entire planning, design, construction and maintenance process.
The council voted on an amended version of the contract with Renew Missouri Advocates.
The original ordinance stated a contract with Renew Missouri Advocates for up to $10,750 for community outreach and legal services related to data center development. The firm would also recommend zoning updates and potential changes to the city’s code of ordinances.
The ordinance now states a contract with Renew Missouri Advocates to provide the city with certain services related to data center issues, including community outreach and zoning legal services to protect St. Joseph residents and their property, among other things, in an amount not to exceed $10,750.00.
Renew Missouri Advocates will be taking over zoning and development guidelines for potential data center projects.
One resident said she has no problem about Renew Missouri Advocates handling some of the issues, noting that the group has worked with residents to understand their concerns about data center development.
However, she urged the council to provide the group with clear direction on its intent.
"In the planning session, earlier there was no talk about whether a data center would not be a good idea for the city of St. Joseph," St. Joseph resident, Deb Ballin said. "I don't know completely whether it is or isn't because I'm not an expert in all of those fields. We need to check and we need to find out if we can support a data center."
City Manager Mike Schumacher said that community engagement will continue be a part of this process.
The council approved rezoning several properties along Mitchell Avenue and one property at 1207A South 33rd Street.
Before the vote, the city amended the ordinance to remove 3306 Mitchell Avenue from the rezoning proposal.
The rezoning would affect 16 properties along Mitchell Avenue: 3309, 3303, 3216, 3312, 3305, 3310, 3219, 3307, 3217, 3215, 3223, 3220, 3214, 3221, 3218 and 3311 Mitchell Ave., as well as 1207A South 33rd St.
The city wants to change these properties from neighborhood commercial zoning to two-family residential zoning. The ordinance does not necessarily mean new homes or duplexes will be built. It changes what types of uses are allowed under the zoning rules.
The next city council meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
