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Residents urge moratorium and stricter terms for proposed data centers near Topeka
Summary
Three residents requested greater transparency and a one‑year moratorium on data‑center development and urged the commission to hold community presentations and strengthen conditions for any permits or incentives tied to Compass Data Centers.
During the public‑comment period, three residents addressed planned data‑center development near Topeka and urged the commission to slow the process and demand stronger protections. Kim Borchers said she was "agnostic" about data centers but asked commissioners to adopt TAP — transparency, accountability and protection — and to invite grassroots groups and company representatives for community briefings; she recommended a one‑year moratorium. "Please accept the spirit of my recommendations," Borchers said.
Amy Gillette, who said she lives about 2.5 miles from the proposed Compass site, said the project's permanent jobs estimate (about 30 full‑time positions in the CUP) was modest and that off‑site prefabrication means fewer local construction jobs than some expect. "This is gonna bring so many construction jobs" in the near term, she said, but noted Compass claims about 85% prefabrication minimize long‑term local construction work; she also advocated a one‑year moratorium. Carol Marple raised questions about 40 acres controlled by JADO/Growth Topeka and warned of potential agricultural and health impacts in surrounding areas, urging commissioners to consider a moratorium.
