The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
City of Liberty
Neutral Data Center Policies
Liberty approved a development plan for a specific 177,000-square-foot data center, including an 8-foot security fence. This helps that project proceed but creates no broad data-center incentives or rules.
Rating from Missouri statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Liberty.
current law · City of LibertyApproves a 177,000-square-foot data center as the first building in a planned three-building development in Liberty.City of Liberty, Missouri Resolution approving Metrobloks Final Development Plan (P&Z Case 25-61FDP) (2025)
What this means
The City approved a development plan for a 177,000-square-foot data center and allowed an 8-foot security fence, making this specific project easier to build (the proposal is for a data center use). This is a meaningful benefit for the project, but the measure does not create broad incentives or new rules for data centers generally.
Timing
- Ends
- six months
The moratorium is to remain in effect for six months unless extended or replaced by an amending ordinance. Consideration was postponed to the 2026-01-12 regular session.
People behind it
- Harold Phillips
Council member who moved or seconded motions approving, postponing, or introducing multiple measures.
- Shelton Ponder
Council member who seconded motions on multiple measures.
- Kelley Wrenn Pozel
Council member who moved or seconded motions approving, postponing, or introducing multiple measures.
Show 6 more peopleShow fewer people
- Adam Travis
Council member who moved or seconded motions approving multiple measures.
- Kevin Graham
Council member who moved or seconded motions approving or introducing multiple measures.
- Jeff Watt
Council member who moved or seconded motions approving or postponing multiple measures.
- Gene Gentrup
Council member who moved or seconded motions approving multiple measures.
- Michael Hagan
Council member who moved or seconded motions approving, postponing, or introducing multiple measures.
- Metrobloks
Applicant and proposer of the final development plan for the proposed data center at 2515 Old Hughes Road.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5
Data centers are limited to industrially zoned districts; the measure states that this use is appropriate in an industrial district, rather than generally permitting it in other zoning districts.
The development must satisfy the Unified Development Ordinance's open-space and landscaping standards: at least 20% open space, with each future phase required to meet the standard separately, plus required tree and shrub plantings.
Industrial-use parking is determined case by case under UDO Section 30-83.2.5. The approved plan therefore required review and approval of its proposed 35 parking spaces, including four accessible spaces.
The proposed 8-foot perimeter security fence required a variance from UDO Section 30-78.3, which otherwise governs fence and screening standards.
Construction required approval of a Final Development Plan, including site access, private internal drives, stormwater maintenance, building materials, landscaping, and other site-design details; the approval covered only the first of three proposed buildings.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3
Approves the Final Development Plan for Metrobloks’ 177,000-square-foot, two-story data center at 2515 Old Hughes Road, allowing the project to proceed on the proposed lot with two Hughes Road entrances and private internal drives.
Recognizes data centers as an appropriate use in an industrially zoned district, supporting their development at the approved site.
Grants a variance from the City’s fence and screening standards to allow an 8-foot-tall security fence around the property.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data