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Residents in Lawrence, Kansas, have initiated a lawsuit against a company proposing a $12 billion data center following preliminary zoning approval in May. The facility would cover nearly 2 million square feet and contain around 5,000 computer servers in western Wyandotte County, potentially marking the largest development in the county's history.

Opponents argue the Unified Government improperly changed zoning from residential to commercial without adequate study of environmental impacts. A district judge allowed the plaintiffs' case against the south tract to proceed while permitting the north tract's dismissal pending zoning decisions.

As demand for AI-related data centers grows, residents report health issues linked to nearby sites, which require significant energy and water resources. Experts emphasize the need for companies to assess environmental consequences alongside financial benefits.