EMPORIA (KSNT) – City officials in Emporia are rolling out a set of proposed guidelines tied to data center development.
City staff announced in a press release on Oct. 16 that, in response to suggestions and concerns from the local community, they have worked with legal counsel to prepare proposed “Data Center Development Guidelines.” City of Emporia commissioners are set to discuss the proposed guidelines during an upcoming study session on Oct. 21.
City staff said the guidelines outline potential terms and expectations for development agreements that may come in the future that involve high-impact data centers. The guidelines do not pertain to any specific company or project.
Officials said the guidelines are meant to supplement the city’s existing Digital Infrastructure Overlay District regulations by identifying additional protections and considerations that may be addressed in a development agreement. The guidelines do not change existing zoning requirements or commit the city to any development agreement or project approval, according to the City of Emporia.
People can review the proposed guidelines and send in questions, comments and concerns to the city’s online feedback form. This feedback will then be shared with the members of the Emporia Commission to help guide its consideration of the proposed guidelines.
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Submissions from the public will be maintained as city records and may be subject to public disclosure under the Kansas Open Records Act. You can view the proposed data center development guidelines online by clicking here.
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