Aug 4. Compass Datacenters Application Deemed Incomplete!

Written By Meghan Ryan

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:


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

Meghan Ryan
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