As hyperscale AI data center moves into Independence, neighbors are lawyering up

A coalition of Independence, Missouri, residents has retained legal counsel to challenge the city’s approval of Nebius, a Dutch AI services company, for a $150 billion hyperscale AI data center spanning 400 acres. The Independence GUARD Alliance, a newly formed group, claims the city may have violated its charter during negotiations and approvals, prompting concerns about future data center projects. Attorneys Steven Jeffery and Aaron Cook, specializing in real estate and public record laws, are advising residents on legal strategies to block or reverse the project. Jeffery has previously represented groups opposing similar data centers in Missouri, including Festus, where residents are fighting a separate facility. Cook guided residents on using Missouri’s public record laws to uncover details about the city’s dealings with Nebius. The GUARD Alliance filed for an LLC last month and is fundraising for legal battles, while also proposing a one-year moratorium on data center zoning approvals to the Independence City Council. A 120-day moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage sites is also under review by the Jackson County Legislature for unincorporated areas. Residents near the site argue the project lacks legal solutions and requires political intervention. They are urging public support for the moratorium, framing the issue as a need for broader city policy changes. The group’s co-founder, Daniel Moorehead, stated legal action is imminent, with plans to challenge the city’s approval process. Concerns extend beyond Nebius, with residents fearing the project could set a precedent for future data centers in Independence. The debate highlights tensions between economic development and community opposition in Missouri’s tech and infrastructure landscape.