By MATT PIKE
During Monday's City Council meeting, the St. Joseph City Council will hear the first reading of two proposed ordinances related to potential future data center projects.
On Monday, September 28th, the proposed ordinances read will relate to establishing zoning and development guidelines for potential data center projects. The first readings of the proposed ordinances are scheduled for the Council’s regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the third floor of City Hall. City staff recommends contracts with GBA Inc. and Renew Missouri Advocates following a request for proposals process seeking firms with the expertise to assist with the work.
The contract propsals follow the Councils July 21st approval of a 12-month pause on new data center applications. The pause provides City staff, councilmembers and the community an opportunity to examine issues associated with data centers and consider regulations that may be appropriate for St. Joseph. Under the proposed contracts, GBA would provide recommendations for zoning revisions and development guidelines at a cost not to exceed $42,440. Renew Missouri would provide primarily community outreach and zoning legal services at a cost not to exceed $10,750.
Funding for both contracts would come from the City’s general fund. St. Joseph currently does not have zoning regulations specifically addressing data centers. Like many communities nationwide, the City is evaluating what requirements may be appropriate for this type of development. There are currently no data center applications submitted or awaiting action in St. Joseph at this time.
Generally, local governments cannot simply prohibit a lawful type of business from operating within their jurisdictions. Cities can, however, use zoning and development regulations to establish reasonable requirements governing where and how certain types of businesses may operate.
Both ordinances are currently scheduled for a second reading and potential vote at the Council’s next regular meeting on Monday, October 12th, unless the Council takes other action. Information related to data center development in St. Joseph, including the zoning and regulatory discussion process underway, is available online. The City will update its webpage as additional information becomes available.
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