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
The City's Land Development Code has a provision that allowed 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 rapid data center development, our coalition and other community members advocated for a data center moratorium, which the City Commission passed on July 14.
The Commission was responsive to our community concerns and approved even stronger protections than staff recommended. They
doubled the length of the moratorium to two years,
added strong stipulations to an exceptions clause in the moratorium,
directed staff to research rigorous regulations for the future,
initiated a simple amendment to the Land Development Code that is more protective until new regulations can be passed, and
called upon Haskell and KU to follow the City's lead because they both have jurisdiction over their own land within the City.
Thank you to the City Commission and all of the advocates who wrote letters and attended the Commission meeting to show their support!
In an effort to speed up the City’s action on a data center moratorium, our coalition researched this policy issue, wrote a report, and drafted an ordinance in June so we could offer a more timely solution to this issue. We presented this proposal to the Commission in June, and in response, they directed staff to bring back the moratorium they approved in July. To learn more, you can read our one-page summary or our full report.
The approved moratorium will pause any data center applications and 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.
Analysis of Directly-Elected Mayor Proposal
In June, the Chamber of Commerce proposed putting a question on the November ballot to adopt a “Directly Elected Mayor form of government” in Lawrence. After receiving mixed responses to their proposal, the Chamber has changed their proposal to suggest community engagement and discussion about this idea beyond the November election.
Our coalition analyzed the Chamber’s initial proposal and has determined that a directly-elected mayor form of government is not in alignment with our coalition’s goal of “collaborative governance” that empowers all stakeholders. We offer the following analysis to inform any future conversations on this topic.
Current System - The City Commission is composed of five Commissioners elected at large, meaning that each one of them represents all Lawrence residents. Each year, the Commissioners select one of their members to serve as mayor for one year. This cycle of rotating mayors distributes power and leadership amongst the Commissioners.
The Chamber’s rationale for a directly-elected mayor is that our City’s governing body needs a single individual who could provide more continuity in vision and leadership over their four-year term. Our coalition does not believe this is a primary problem for our community, nor one that a directly-elected mayor would solve. Instead, we believe that the current form of Lawrence government is strongly democratic; encourages collaboration amongst our five Commissioners; and provides well-balanced representation for our community.
Local Issue Research
by KU Graduate Students
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.
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.