Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County staff proposes proactive resolution to study low-frequency noise for large energy/data projects
Summary
Planning staff recommended a standalone resolution to require pre-construction and in-load low-frequency (infrasound) noise assessments and mitigation plans for large facilities (data centers, battery energy storage) to protect nearby residential areas; commissioners asked for legal review and further planning-board input.
John, planning/zoning staff, summarized responses from KDHE and the Kansas Corporation Commission and proposed a standalone county resolution to address potential low-frequency noise (infrasound) from proposed large industrial facilities such as data centers, battery energy storage and similar projects.
John said the proposed resolution would require applicants to submit certified engineering assessments of ambient low-frequency noise prior to construction and measurements under load after installation, along with mitigation plans if modeled or measured levels could intrude into nearby residential areas. He noted that KDHE does not regulate noise levels and that the Corporation Commission regards battery energy storage as a utility but operators have sometimes opted out of commission regulation; he recommended the county get ahead of the issue with a narrowly focused resolution aimed at potential residential impacts. Commissioners sought clarification on whether existing county industries would be affected (John said the resolution is targeted at proposed new industrial facilities encroaching toward residential districts) and asked that legal counsel and the planning board review the draft before bringing it back for action; staff said it could be returned to the commission on June 1.
