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Sedgwick County commissioners schedule discussion after March 31 data-center public meeting
Summary
Commissioners said they will add a new-business discussion item and pursue a workshop to weigh possible regulations for proposed data centers after a March 31 public meeting; staff will summarize public input for the board.
Sedgwick County commissioners said they will add a new-business discussion item to their April 1 meeting and pursue a follow-up workshop to discuss potential regulations for proposed data centers after a public input meeting March 31.
Planning staff member Scott told commissioners the March 31 event at the K‑State Research and Extension Office (21st and Ridge) will include topic stations on air quality, water and electricity, a brief presentation on process and baseline information, and collection of public comments via sticky notes and comment cards. "We'll have one on air quality, we'll have one on water, we'll have one on electricity," Scott said, describing the stations and the limited public-comment time at the end.
Commissioners emphasized that the public meeting is an information-gathering step, not the county's final decision. Scott said formal BOCC action would be later in the process and that staff expects the earliest county decision on regulations would be in mid‑June. "At this point we're just collecting input and it's an opportunity to ask questions," he said.
Several commissioners urged an internal, public workshop so the board could voice initial positions and guide staff on regulatory options. "I'd like to just be able to voice that publicly and officially in front of my colleagues," Commissioner Howl said, urging a Wednesday discussion and a longer staff workshop if commissioners want more time. Commissioner Beatty and another commissioner supported adding a new-business item for commissioner discussion and using that meeting to request a subsequent workshop.
Scott told commissioners he would provide an overview of what staff heard at the March 31 meeting and compile a full report later. The board agreed to add a discussion item to the Wednesday agenda and to pursue a workshop or staff meeting to further develop potential zoning and regulatory changes.
The March 31 public meeting will open at 4:30 p.m. with a presentation scheduled for 6:00–7:00 p.m.; commissioners said they expect staff to deliver a summary of public comments after the meeting and to return to the board with options and recommendations.
