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Residents urge council to halt plans for proposed hyperscale data center; developers to present June 25
Summary
Dozens of residents at the June 11 Osawatomie council meeting urged the council to stop or slow consideration of a proposed hyperscale data center (Project Catalyst/Alco), arguing the city’s zoning code does not authorize such a use and raising concerns about noise, water, property loss and transparency. The council scheduled a developer presentation for June 25.
Dozens of residents packed a June 11 Council meeting in Osawatomie to oppose a proposed hyperscale data center, calling the project inconsistent with the city’s zoning code and urging the council to require a formal public process before allowing any such facility.
"A hyperscale data center is not defined anywhere in the zoning code," said Troy Hart, a homeowner near the proposed site, criticizing the city’s handling of the proposal as "arbitrary and reckless decisionmaking." Hart and other speakers argued the I1 light-industrial zoning district cited by staff does not contemplate the scale, utility needs or impacts of a hyperscale campus and that such facilities belong in a heavier industrial classification or only after an amendment to the ordinance.
The concerns echoed across public comment. Residents warned of 24/7 tonal noise, continuous lighting, large diesel generators, substantial water consumption and adverse effects on nearby hospital and residential properties. Several speakers said the city should not bend the rules for a single large developer and called for transparent, comprehensive zoning changes and impact studies before permitting the use.
A commenter who identified himself as Chris noted the city had previously approved a waiver of KSA 75-1120 (a statutory reference to municipal accounting rules) and asked whether the council will prepare GAAP-compliant financial statements if it moves forward with long-term commitments such as industrial revenue bonds or tax abatements tied to the project.
Michelle, the deputy city manager, told the council that staff will not file a motion with the Kansas Corporation Commission to change service territory unless and until necessary zoning and development approvals are in place, saying the city should secure tangible commitments before ceding utility service responsibility. The council also reiterated it has not signed nondisclosure agreements and said developers and their partners will be present at the June 25 meeting for a presentation that the council expects will include time for questions.
Speakers suggested alternatives such as smaller, distributed "micro" data centers and pressed the council to require a redevelopment agreement and binding safeguards before any project moves forward. Several people urged county involvement or a moratorium and said they feared property-value loss or eminent-domain pressure.
No council vote on the proposed project occurred at the meeting. The council closed the public-comment period at 7:15 p.m. and proceeded with other agenda items. The developer presentation is scheduled for the council’s next meeting on June 25.
