IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE implementing a 120-day moratorium on the processing of data center land use applications and Battery Energy Storage System land use applications by Jackson County for the purpose of developing a long-term policy and accompanying County Code provisions related to such applications, including the direction of regulatory standards and enhanced public notification requirements.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 6074, April 6, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Sean E. Smith, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, due to the rapid emergence and expansion of data center developments and battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities, it is necessary to review and amend the Jackson County Code to create a thorough policy related to land use applications for data centers and BESS facilities; and,
WHEREAS, such large-scale technology facilities present significant land use, infrastructure, environmental, and public safety concerns; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature does recognize widespread community opposition and resident concerns related to large industrial technology facilities; and,
WHEREAS, a number of state legislatures, including the Missouri House, are moving to implement guidelines on energy usage and water regulation for data centers and BESS facilities; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City, Missouri did pass Ordinance No. 251031 and Ordinance No. 260075 to address the impact of data centers on the community; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County’s current Unified Development Code does not adequately address the unique characteristics and impacts of these facilities; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature recommends a 120-day moratorium to review the current provisions of the Jackson County Unified Development Code, and to develop new code additions, including enhanced public notice requirements for future applications involving large technology facilities; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that a 120-day moratorium is hereby imposed on the acceptance, processing and approval of rezoning applications, conditional use permits (CUP); special use permits (SUP), site plans, and building permits related to the construction, establishment, or expansion of data centers or BESS facilities within Jackson County.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its signature by the County Executive.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
I hereby certify that the attached Ordinance, Ordinance No. 6074 introduced on April 6, 2026, was duly passed on __________________________, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______________ Nays _____________
Abstaining ___________ Absent ____________
This Ordinance is hereby transmitted to the County Executive for his signature.
____________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature
I hereby approve the attached Ordinance No. 6074.
____________________ _______________________________
Date Phil LeVota, County Executive