Sedgwick County extends moratorium on data centers. Here’s why

Sedgwick County will extend its moratorium on data centers another three months as it continues to consider regulations for the centers.

Commissioners passed the moratorium in January, then extended it earlier this year. It was set to expire June 11 before commissioners voted to extend it again on Wednesday.

An extension “is believed to be advantageous and advisable to give staff and County officials additional time” a county agenda report said.

Planning staff and a third party, the Berkley Group, have been researching and creating options for potential data center regulations since the moratorium was passed, according to the agenda report.

The county said it needed to extend the moratorium another three months to also comply with public notice requirements. A 20-day notice is required before the Metropolitan Planning Area Committee meeting if zoning changes are being considered.

Zoning changes are still being considered by the planning department’s advanced plans committee, before being forward to the MAPC.

Their next scheduled meetings are May 14 and May 28.

The advanced plans committee has already held some special meetings in April to discuss data center regulations.

Some commissioners hinted that the moratorium could be extended again past September.

“We might have a possibility of moving forward. I don’t think we will,” Commissioner Jim Howell said about the September deadline.

But the commission said it would not support a three-year moratorium like Harvey and Saline counties.

“The longer we extend these conversations, the more uncertainty rests in the market and in our community,” Commissioner Ryan Baty said. “Just my personal opinion, I think punting three years and beyond is a political decision. It’s not a practical policy decision.”

At the April 23 meeting, the Berkley Group suggested several options for the committee to consider: a prohibition on data centers, allowing them in certain overlay districts, going through a conditional-use process, using a by-right process that doesn’t require public meetings, or doing nothing.

Sedgwick County commissioners suggested earlier this year that the committee should also consider allowing data centers only in areas already zoned for industrial use.

Potential data center sites in western parts of the county occupy land zoned for agricultural use.

The county has also hosted town halls and informational meetings during the moratorium.

A community group pushing for regulations to data centers in the county is hosting a symposium at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Goddard High School. Environmental experts Tammy Clark and Kristen Meghan Kelly will speak about data centers.

This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 11:01 AM.