Commission approves stricter oversight for data centers, battery storage

Moratorium on data centers fails in split vote

Major battery storage facility eyeing Tecumseh

Monmouth Township reclaiming independent road maintenance

New operations hub approved for Monmouth Township

Commission approves stricter oversight for data centers, battery storage

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - The Shawnee County Planning Commission voted 6-1 to amend zoning regulations, requiring conditional use permits for future data centers and energy storage systems. The text amendment removes public and private utility structures as a permitted use by right in Light Industrial districts, instead categorizing them as conditional uses across rural and industrial zones. Planning staff clarified that conditional use permits carry regulatory authority even without formal regulations, guaranteeing the county can legally enforce setbacks, safety standards and reclamation bonds on large-scale utility projects before formal policies are drafted.

Moratorium on data centers fails in split vote

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - An effort to halt data center developments for six months died for lack of a second during the Shawnee County Planning Commission's debate on utility zoning. One commissioner cast the lone dissenting vote against the broader zoning amendments, arguing the massive water and electricity demands of data centers warrant a temporary moratorium. While the commissioner pushed for a pause to study the potential community impact, the majority sided with planning staff, who favored immediate conditional use oversight over a lengthy moratorium process.

Major battery storage facility eyeing Tecumseh

TECUMSEH, Kan. - A new commercial battery storage facility may soon be proposed in Tecumseh, Shawnee County planning staff revealed. An unnamed clean energy company has already leased land and hosted at least one open house in the area, with plans to potentially file an application this summer. The impending project was cited by planning staff as the primary catalyst for the county's urgent push to update utility zoning regulations and address gaps in existing legislation.

Monmouth Township reclaiming independent road maintenance

MONMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Kan. - Monmouth Township will officially take back control of its own road repair and maintenance from Shawnee County beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Monmouth Township Trustee Gilda Singleton confirmed the shift at the meeting, noting the county has managed the infrastructure for years. The transition marks a significant operational and financial change for local taxpayers as the township assumes full responsibility for road grading, material staging and daily maintenance.

New operations hub approved for Monmouth Township

MONMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Kan. - To support its upcoming independence in road maintenance, Monmouth Township received unanimous approval from the Shawnee County Planning Commission for a new conditional use permit to establish a public operations facility. Located on a 9.63-acre site on Southeast 69th Street, the building will serve as a central hub for equipment, gravel storage and personnel. The facility will be staffed by three full-time employees operating Monday through Friday and will also serve as the monthly meeting site for the township board.

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