Springfieldians will have two opportunities in the next few weeks to weigh in on how the city approaches data centers.
Springfield City Council passed a 120-day administrative delay on data center developments in late June. During this pause, city staff are evaluating a long-term policy framework to use when considering data center proposals in the future that will include input from the public.
The city, alongside City Utilities, will host two public engagement sessions:
- Thursday, Aug. 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, at 2431 N. Glenstone Ave.;
- Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Library Center's Hatch Auditorium, at 4653 S. Campbell. Ave.
According to a city news release, the sessions will include attendees visiting information stations with rotating subject matter experts. Experts will provide information on potential regulations regarding data center water and electricity usage, sound and air quality, public
safety, land use and potential community benefits. Attendees will be able to ask questions, fill out comment cards and take surveys on those topics.
Information gathered at the sessions will be used to develop recommendations for the long-term policy "designed to balance the protection of the public interest with responsible economic growth," the release noted. Attendees are encouraged to attend the full two-hour session to provide feedback on all topic areas.
Feedback can also be shared via email to city@springfieldmo.gov. A hotline with a voice mailbox will be set up in the future.
By the end of the 120-day period, any findings and recommendations would be presented to the Springfield Planning & Zoning Commission and council for consideration.
When council discussed the 120-day administrative delay, City Manager David Cameron said there has been a data center application submitted for an existing building with mixed-use zoning, according to previous News-Leader reporting.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield hosting 2 public input sessions on data center regulations
