FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 28, 2026

For More Information Contact:
Mari Macomber
City Manager
660.627.1225

City of Kirksville working on zoning changes to regulate data center development

(Kirksville, MO) - The City of Kirksville appreciates all feedback from city and county residents on the topic of data centers. For those who may have missed the most recent Council Meeting and Study Session, the City wants to share the steps it is taking regarding the potential development of these facilities in the community.

The Council passed a resolution at its July 27 meeting, outlining its intent to review and assign specific zoning standards for any proposed data center development within the city limits. Zoning and licensing are the primary tools the City can use to regulate the development of data centers. No city can ban businesses otherwise allowed by the State. Missouri courts routinely strike down municipal ordinances that try to single out certain businesses while allowing others.

This does not mean a data center is imminent for Kirksville. In fact, no proposals regarding a data center have come through City Hall. By applying specific zoning standards, the City can work within the law to regulate and limit the development of these facilities.

This process aims to restrict these facilities to areas zoned as heavy industrial, where space in the city is limited. Restricting that development to a compact area makes a large-scale data center less likely to be developed in the city. Additionally, through the zoning process, Special Use Permits establishing certain restrictions and standards are expected to be required, which means public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission, followed by City Council consideration. Both are opportunities to ensure the public has a chance to weigh in on any potential development.

The City of Kirksville is committed to public conversations about data centers and welcomes the community’s input.

What comes next? The Planning and Zoning Commission will receive information on data centers during a Study Session immediately following its August 12 meeting. This Study Session will give Commission members an opportunity to learn about data centers. At its September 9 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on recommendations for a data center zoning proposal. The Commission’s recommendations will then go to the City Council for final consideration and approval later that month.

The City of Kirksville fully understands residents’ concerns about data centers.

This is how the City will address data center development within Kirksville. However, the City’s authority ends at the city limits. Any development outside the city limits is the jurisdiction of Adair County. Since there are larger parcels of land and no zoning in the County, data center development is more likely to occur there. If you are interested in what Adair County is doing regarding this subject, please contact the Adair County Commission.

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