MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Hutchinson residents and others from surrounding communities raised concerns about water use, noise, location and quality of life Wednesday evening as the City of Hutchinson gathered public input on potential regulations for data centers.
The city held a community open house at the Hutchinson Fire Department Command and Training Center as officials continue developing zoning regulations that would govern where and how data centers could operate within Hutchinson.
While attendees were given an opportunity to provide feedback, some citizens expressed disappointment with the format of Wednesday night's meeting. Several said they had expected the event to be more of a learning process, with city officials providing detailed information about data centers and answering questions about their potential impacts.
Others said they would have appreciated having members of the Hutchinson Planning Commission at the meeting to hear concerns and gather opinions directly from residents as the city moves through the regulatory process.
One attendee said he believes city officials need to put "boots on the ground" in a community that already has a data center to learn firsthand about both the advantages and disadvantages experienced by residents and local governments.
Among the most frequently voiced concerns Wednesday was water.
One resident listed "noise, water quality, water utilities" and overall quality of life among his primary concerns. He questioned how much water a large data center could require and what impacts cooling systems could have on local water resources.
Residents also discussed closed-loop cooling systems, which are designed to reuse water. Some questioned how much additional water those systems would still require and how water containing chemicals used to control algae and other issues would ultimately be handled or discharged.
The concerns were heightened by current dry conditions and the area's dependence on regional water resources, including the Equus Beds.
"I hate to get into a situation years from now that somebody decided this is a great idea, and 10 years from now we have a little water crisis," one resident said.
Another concern centered on where a future data center could be located and whether a project within Hutchinson's jurisdiction could affect people living outside the city limits.
Some residents from rural areas said they were concerned they could experience the effects of a development without having the same voice as Hutchinson residents in determining whether it should be allowed.
"If it's so good, keep it in Hutchinson," one attendee said. "Why should we have to change our way of life?"
A resident from the Haven area said his family has farmed and ranched in the area for generations and expressed concern about protecting water resources for future generations.
"My kids are fifth generation," he said. "I hope it's around for a long time. We don't need to have an unforced error and get ourselves into a water crisis."
The city has not approved a data center project through the current regulatory effort. The process is focused on establishing zoning and development standards before a future proposal is submitted.
Public comments gathered during Wednesday's open house are expected to be considered as those regulations are developed. Any zoning regulations would still have to move through the city's formal public process, including consideration by the Planning Commission before reaching the Hutchinson City Council for final action.