Data center moratorium okayed,
recall election date set for Sept. 1

INDEPENDENCE, MO—Data Centers continued to dominate discussion and action at the regularly scheduled city council tonight.

 

In an action required by the city charter, six council members voted to set the recall election for First District Council Member and President Pro Tem John Perkins on September 1 with Perkins abstaining. 

 

District one residents assembled earlier this year a petition forcing a recall election of Perkins.  Perkins, along with councilmembers Jennie Vaught and Heather Wiley, voted in support of the data centers. 

 

At-large Councilmember Cody Atkinson, speaking at the end of the meeting over the loud objections of some attendees, expressed his regret at having to vote in support of the recall election date.  Atkinson called out Perkins’ many accomplishments on the council. 

 

Atkinson was joined in his disdain for the recall vote by city resident Ted Luce and Firefighters Local 781 President Michael Veit.  Veit cited the many improvements to District One, Perkin’s district, in his remarks.

 

In other data center related action, the council voted 7-0 in favor of a resolution introduced by Second District Councilmember Brice Stewart placing a 180 ban on permitting of either additional data center facilities or battery energy storage systems. 

 

Neither resolution applies to existing or approved facilities.

 

Of the 13 residents who addressed the council during the public comments section of the council session, eight spoke to the subject of data centers. 

 

The status of historic sites, a proposed low-income housing development and community events also drew public comment with past city mayor Eileen Weir saying that she felt that the city should hold a second bond election to raise money for the restoration of the Vaile Mansion and the Bingham-Waggoner Estate. 
 

The council approved a resolution directing the city manager to explore funding and support of city-owned historic sites.  

 

The council voted down unanimously a resolution that would have reduced the distance between a proposed marijuana facility and a nearby childcare facility.  State statute sets the distance at 500 feet.    City regulations extend that distance to 800 feet.  The council can reduce that measure on a case-by-case basis, though it chose not to with seven ‘no’ votes.  The facility was to be located at 16800 Gudgell.

 

Construction on the facility will continue, though the variance was denied, according to city manager Troy Anderson, because the work in progress is not specifically for the marijuana facility. 

 

Heather Urie, a city animal control officer, was awarded the ISTAR Award for July based on her selfless service to the animal humane effort.  July was named Parks and Recreation month in the city by way of a proclamation.

 

Along with approval of the consent agenda, the council heard second reading of, and approved, an ordinance approving the issuance of a tax increment and special district revenue bonds not to exceed $12,000,000 for the construction of the Wally’s Redevelopment Project, a high-volume gas station at Noland Road and I-70.

 

Eleven ordinances received first reading, including a low income 60-unit affordable rental housing development at 9701 West 35th Street called Terrace Crossing.  The developer is asking for a $50,001 building permit waiver.    

 

City resident Wes Epperson spoke against the development, siting the lack of sidewalks between the development and Cassell Elementary, a nearby city school.  Epperson acknowledged that the development site had been vacant and blighted for several years but had concerns about students walking to school and high traffic volumes during blockages nearby on I-70.

 

The council also heard first readings of:

 

Two ordinances setting operations for bicycles and scooters on public roadways.

An ordinance approving rezoning of property at 16523 East 40 Highway from R-6 (single family residential) and C-2 (general commercial) to district C-2 (general commercial).

 

An ordinance approving rezoning of property located 20691 East 24 Highway from District R-6 (single-family residential) to district R-6 /PUD (single-family/planned unit development) and approving a preliminary development plan.

 

An ordinance approving a special use permit to expand the operation of a car rental agency at 3601 South Noland Road.

 

An ordinance approving a final plat for Meadowbrook Estates located at Eureka Road and R. D. Mize Road.

 

Under normal circumstances, an ordinance must receive two readings at separate meetings before the council can vote.