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Leavenworth County hears intense public opposition to Project Bluestem, debates moratorium and adopts developer‑funded review agreement
Summary
After hours of public comment opposing Project Bluestem, Leavenworth County commissioners reviewed draft data‑center regulations, debated a 90‑day moratorium that failed, and approved a developer‑funded account to pay third‑party review costs while staff prepares formal rules.
Leavenworth County commissioners spent the bulk of their meeting hearing residents oppose a proposed hyperscale data‑center campus called Project Bluestem and reviewing draft county rules intended to limit the projects’ local impacts.
Residents repeatedly urged the board to pause action. “Do not rush. Do not assume. Do not approve first and ask questions later,” said Jim Carlskin, a Tonganoxie resident, calling for a moratorium, identification of the end user, independent engineering reviews and aquifer‑impact studies before the county commits roads, utilities or zoning changes.
The board then discussed a draft ordinance prepared by planning staff that would either create a standalone technology district or add standards to existing industrial districts. John Jacobson, director of planning and zoning, said the draft requires developers to submit preliminary site studies — including phase‑1 environmental, threatened‑and‑endangered‑species, traffic impact, ambient sound and a utility…
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