Data Center Project Sparks Controversy in Peculiar, Missouri

Peculiar, Missouri: Data Center Debate Heats Up

In the charming city of Peculiar, Missouri, a brewing debate is taking center stage as city leaders contemplate a major decision involving a proposed massive data center. As the plans face a significant turnaround, residents are raising their voices about the potential impact on their community.

What’s Happening?

The data center project, which was initially planned to occupy 500 acres—an area more than twice the size of the Truman Sports Complex—has recently hit a roadblock. The City of Peculiar is now considering a request to repeal previously approved zoning changes that opened the door for the project. As city officials head back to the planning commission, residents are left with a lot of questions.

Concerns from Neighbors

Members of the community, especially those living near the proposed site, are voicing their concerns. Chad Buck, a resident of the Grand Oaks Farm community, expressed that many citizens are frustrated with the lack of information. “Citizens have asked questions, and they can’t get answers, so you don’t know what you are getting,” he said. His fellow neighbors have even taken it upon themselves to research data centers in surrounding states and found significant differences from what’s been proposed in Peculiar.

Buck also pointed out that these large data centers often require an enormous amount of water and power while bringing burdensome infrastructure. “They are 50 feet from existing residential neighborhoods,” he added, highlighting the impact such a project might have on their everyday lives.

City Officials Take Action

In light of the concerns raised, the Board of Alderman took a notable step in September, expressing their desire to undo the zoning changes that permitted the data center. “Repeal our ordinance for light industrial because it’s not light industrial, and we’ve all figured that out,” announced Alderman John Shatto, to the enthusiastic approval of many present.

This statement stirred quite a reaction, especially from Peculiar’s Mayor, Doug Stark, who accused the board of yielding to an “ill-informed group” of residents who, he claims, have gathered misinformation from social media. He noted, “They get their information off Facebook…all these evil things.” However, the neighbors responded to this remark, feeling their legitimate concerns were being ignored.

What’s Next?

The ongoing dispute raises questions about the city’s future development prospects. In a Facebook post, Mayor Stark expressed concerns over the board’s actions, stating that they effectively killed a project which could have brought “hundreds of millions” of dollars into the city. He emphasized that this public disagreement is harming Peculiar’s reputation and its ability to attract positive developments moving forward.

The developer involved, Diode Ventures, also weighed in, commenting that while there is no active application submitted due to the extended moratorium imposed by city leaders, data centers play a vital role in the digital world and can offer numerous benefits to communities.

A Meeting to Discuss Plans

To further engage the community, a special planning commission meeting has been scheduled as a public hearing. It will be held on October 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Peculiar School District’s Innovation Academy, a move designed to welcome more residents to share their opinions and concerns about the future of their town.

This pivotal meeting will provide local citizens an opportunity to fully understand the implications of the proposed data center and voice their thoughts. The city’s decision on this matter could shape Peculiar for years to come, making it essential for the voices of its residents to be heard loud and clear.