Residents urge pause on proposed Tonganoxie data center; county schedules work session

Dozens of residents told the Leavenworth County Commission that a proposed data center near Tonganoxie could harm local water supplies, property values and quality of life and urged the board to pause permitting while rules are developed.

At public comment, Heather Ryzak said her home is “literally in the middle of this proposed development” and asked the county to “pause development permits … until we can figure out what regulations we need to put in place” to protect neighbors. Rebecca Davis and other speakers cited potential large water and electricity demands, and Davis said the constant noise could travel miles and affect an elementary school about a mile away. Bridal Morley described the project as benefiting large companies rather than local jobs and raised concerns about electromagnetic fields.

Commissioners said they had heard the concerns and pledged a data‑driven approach. The board discussed model resolutions used by other Kansas counties (Harvey, Jefferson, Sedgwick) and asked legal staff to prepare templates and research other jurisdictions’ pause language. “We want to be smart enough to make a vote, and I don’t want to harm anybody,” one commissioner said, calling for staff and experts to brief the board before any formal action.

County staff and the administrator stressed there is currently no proposal before the board. Administrator Mark Lofrey told the commission that any future development would still be subject to planning and permitting processes and public hearings. He said a work session to coordinate experts and stakeholders is being scheduled for March, and that the commission intends that any regulatory approach be transparent and include community input.

Next steps: legal staff will assemble model templates and background materials for commissioners and a March work session will be scheduled to allow residents, experts and staff to review potential regulatory options and draft language. The county emphasized that no formal land use approvals have been granted and that public input will continue to be solicited.