Data centers are not currently listed in the Mexico City Code of Ordinances.

A proposed ordinance regulating data centers within city limits was presented to city council during a staff report by Drew Williford, Mexico deputy city manager, at the Oct. 26 meeting. The ordinance aims to not only protect Mexico residents, but also to create clear, enforceable guidelines for developers.

“When we develop ordinances, we actually find it beneficial, not just for the residents of Mexico, but for the developers,” Williford said. “The developers come in and they will know precisely what they need to build for.”

Council members asked a number of questions about the ordinance language before ultimately deciding they needed more time to gather information and hear citizen input at the public hearing scheduled for Nov. 9. 

Waiting until after the public hearing to revise the ordinance and bring it back to city council for a vote would not leave the city enough time before the city’s moratorium on data center considerations expired. Council members therefore agreed to extend the moratorium until Nov. 30.

Looking through a local lens

Data centers have been a heavy topic of discussion across the nation, and City Manager Bruce Slagle cited growing need and local concern as the primary reasons the city of Mexico is discussing them now.

Slagle said the city has had “three or four” different inquiries about potential data center locations along with questions about site regulations and utility support. Missouri Partnership has requested information about potential sites, while landowners and utility companies have submitted questions to the city as well. 

“No formal, written proposals by any data center to build anything has happened at this point,” Slagle added.

The lack of regulations in Mexico’s code creates an “ambiguous” situation regarding the city’s ability to regulate data centers and their development which Slagle described as “open season.” Without regulations, a data center could potentially be developed anywhere in the city, including residential areas.

“The residents of Mexico can be assured that the big national issues are being addressed, such as location, utilities, noise, etc.,” Slagle said.

Proposed regulations and citizen input

The proposed ordinance restricts data center development to I-1 Light Industrial District and I-2 Heavy Industrial District and will only allow them as an additional use. It also calls for a three-pronged approach to sound testing. 

What it does not include is any restrictions on wells, which was a concern raised by council member Alexander Finck.

Williford explained when developing the ordinance, city staff did not restrict wells as the city does not currently prohibit wells for any other industry, but it is something that can be added. 

Community members both for and against data centers in Mexico also attended the Oct. 26 meeting to voice concerns and make suggestions to council members.

Those against data centers, such as Jamie Blair who wore a shirt that read ‘stop data centers,’ urged council members to not offer any tax abatements to data center developers during public comment. She also commended city leaders for getting the ordinance “out in the open” ahead of time.

Missouri Military Academy President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci said MMA would like to see a strategic vision for economic development and community welfare and he thinks a data center should be part of that plan.

County should aggressively pursue a data center for both the city and the county, while also aggressively protecting the community and its resources,” Geraci said. “We want to create a climate of positive dialogue, which means we must educate the community and all the benefits of having a data center.” 

No action, other than extending the data center moratorium, was taken regarding the proposed ordinance at the Oct. 26 meeting. A public hearing will be held Nov. 9, during which time Slagle said council members will gather input to be included within the ordinance. A revised ordinance will then be drafted and prepared for the second November Mexico City Council meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. 

The city has asked residents to review the ordinance and submit their feedback online through Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. 

Public comments can be emailed directly to dhouchins@mexicomissouri.org, and a draft of the ordinance can be found on the City of Mexico’s website. 

“Our goal in all of this is to make sure everyone knows everything that’s going on,” Williford said.