The Webster County Commission has heard from many residents regarding concerns about data centers, including requests for regulation, proposed ordinances, and a possible moratorium.
We appreciate the time and effort citizens have put into sharing their concerns and ideas. The Commission takes these issues seriously. At the same time, the County must act within the authority granted to it by Missouri law. Because Webster County does not currently have planning and zoning, the Commission’s authority to regulate land use and development may be more limited than some of the proposals assume.
Based on the information reviewed to date, the proposed ordinances, as presented, raise significant questions about the scope of the County’s legal authority. That does not mean the concerns raised by residents are being ignored. It means the Commission must be careful to respond in a way that is lawful, enforceable, and defensible.
The County is committed to continuing to evaluate what provisions may be available to address citizen concerns while staying within the boundaries of the law.
We are grateful for the public’s continued engagement on this issue and will continue to listen as this process moves forward.
