Our Vision
We envision collaborative governance that empowers all stakeholders—residents, community organizations, businesses, and local government—to shape local policies, budgets, and outcomes.
Current City Issues
Data Center Moratorium Proposal
The City's Land Development Code currently allows data centers to be constructed in industrially-zoned properties, by right, without Commission approval, and without any use-specific regulations on the development. Given nation-wide concerns about data center development, and given the pace at which communities in the region have been receiving data center proposals, many in our community believe there is an urgent need to pause this allowance in the LDC promptly to avoid potentially undesired developments in our community.
The City Commission recently directed City staff to bring back some information about data centers, but because City staff's time is in high demand, our coalition researched this policy issue, wrote a report, and drafted an ordinance so we could offer a more timely solution to this issue. Our coalition recommends a moratorium on the development and construction of data centers in Lawrence that would remain in effect for up to three (3) years or until the Commission adopts permanent regulations.
This moratorium would pause any data center applications, and this would provide City staff and the City Commission adequate time to engage the community about this issue and to research, develop, and propose data center regulations. This approach is consistent with actions taken by many Kansas counties facing similar development pressures and would mitigate community tensions about data centers, which have been present in other localities.
Commissioner Mike Courtney is sponsoring our coalition's proposal and will speak about it during his Commissioner's report on Tuesday, and members of our team and others plan to speak about the proposed moratorium during the Commission's general public comment -- 5:00 to 5:45 pm this upcoming Tuesday, 6/9, at City Hall. If you are concerned about this issue, you can write to the Commissioners in support of a moratorium, and/or attend the meeting on Tuesday. To learn more, read the one-page summary or our full report.
KU graduate students in the Urban Planning Department’s Politics and Planning class researched recent Lawrence projects and issues. They interviewed community members and City staff, researched public records, and wrote papers analyzing these issues and providing policy recommendations.
Local Issue Research
by KU Graduate Students
Our coalition was fortunate to participate in this project by identifying research topics and meeting with the students to share our experiences related to these issues. Topics include affordable housing incentives, City budget, data centers, KU’s tax incentives, the Farmer’s Market permanent home, solar energy projects, and much more! And here’s a cool poster on the City budget.
Our Coalition’s Goals
Develop Relationships
Develop more collaborative relationships between our local governments and their residents.
Identify Issues and Successes
Identify recurrent challenges and successful practices in local governmental processes.
Promote Solutions
Promote solutions to make our local government’s cultures, policies, and practices more transparent, collaborative, and accountable.