Aug 4. Compass Datacenters Application Deemed Incomplete!
Read about it from CJOnline and WIBW. The next submission deadline will be August 28, 2026. We are in a very short period of time where there is no longer a current application for a data center here in Shawnee County. That means we should press our county officials as much as possible for a moratorium in this brief window.
Send an email to the County Commissioners and Shawnee County Planning Commission telling them that you want a moratorium put up for consideration NOW. Let them know that you want the county to join Topeka in a one-year moratorium on new development!
Track updates here at the Shawnee County Land Use & Development Data Center Development site.
Call to Action:
This week, we need all of you to contact the Shawnee County Commissioners and ask for a 12 month moratorium on data centers. Tell them your reasons why you are concerned, and include sources and news stories relevant to your concerns.
Email these Folks to ask for a 12-Month Moratorium:
Shawnee County Commissioners:
All Commissioners: 785-251-4040 Commission@snco.us
District 1: Bill Riphahn: 785-584-6617 Bill.Riphahn@snco.us
District 2: Kevin Cook: 785-215-1003 Kevin.Cook@snco.us
District 3: Aaron Mays: 785-817-8157 Aaron.Mays@snco.us
City Clerk: cclerk@topeka.org
Shawnee County Planning Commission: LUDev@snco.gov
Chad Gerhardt (Chair)
Rosa Cavazos (Vice-Chair)
Dan Bryan (Member)
Marc Galbraith (Member) - Recommended a 6 month moratorium - see below
Jeanette Johnson (Member)
Myron Leinwetter (Member)
Terry Robinson (Member)
Shawnee County Kansas Planning Commission Meeting 2026/05/11
Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/live/a0uVNcdiwVw?t=1600s
In this planning meeting on 5/11, Marc Galbraith recommends a 6 month moratorium for data centers and expresses concerns, no one seconds his motion. Joni Thadani states:
"You don't have to have regulations to do a conditional use permit."
"We probably have 50, 75, 100 uses... that require a conditional use permit that give you absolutely no direction at all. And this would be one of those situations for now"
"We can list out anywhere from zero to 500 conditions that they would have to meet in order to get a recommendation of approval."
"I don't want another 4-year process... I think that we can do it a lot quicker by accomplishing it this way."
Attend at a Meeting:
Shawnee County Commissioners:
Shawnee County Administration Building,
707 SE Quincy Street, Topeka, KS
Mondays and Thursdays at 9:00 am.
Show up with signage and remind them we want a moratorium
GOAL: Have folks submit public comment every single meeting