On the agenda: Camdenton August 20 — Data Center (Aug 20)

COUNTY COMMISSION RECORD, CAMDEN COUNTY, MISSOURI

Thursday 08/20/2026
The Camden County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton and
First District Commissioner James Gohagan. Second District Commissioner Steve
Dougan was absent.
At 10:00 A.M., Commissioner Skelton made a motion to come out of recess
following a 9:00 A.M. closed session meeting. Commissioner Gohagan second the
motion. The motion passed by vote: Commissioner Skelton (aye) and
Commissioner Gohagan (aye).

Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Gohagan made a motion to approve today’s agenda. Commissioner
Skelton seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Commissioner Gohagan
(aye) and Commissioner Skelton (aye). Session opened at 10:00 A.M.

Prior Minutes
Commissioner Gohagan made a motion to approve the previous meeting minutes
of August 13, 2026. Commissioner Skelton seconded the motion. The motion
passed by vote: Commissioner Gohagan (aye) and Commissioner Skelton (aye).

New Business
Planning & Zoning Hearing: Planning & Permitting Assistant Administrator Brent
Hubbard stated the rules and procedures for today’s preceding. Commissioner
Skelton made a motion to approve today’s Planning and Zoning agenda.
Commissioner Gohagan seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:
Commissioner Skelton (aye) and Commissioner Gohagan (aye). Commissioner
Gohagan made a motion to approve the previous Planning and Zoning minutes of

July 16, 2026. Commissioner Skelton seconded the motion. The motion passed by
vote: Commissioner Gohagan (aye) and Commissioner Skelton (aye).
a) PZ26-0095 Kness – Rezone B-2 to R-1 – Applicant Tina Moore is present and
states they are working on getting their property zoned from commercial to
residential. Ms. Moore stated that when the house was put on the property in
2004 there were some issues with the zoning and recently found out it was
zoned commercial. Commissioner Skelton asked if there was anyone in
opposition of this request. There were none. Commissioner Gohagan made a
motion to approve the rezone. Commissioner Skelton second the motion. The
motion passed by vote: Commissioner Gohagan (aye) and Commissioner
Skelton (aye).
b) Rewrite A-1 – Commissioner Skelton stated that Section 904 A-1 Agriculture was
recently discussed at a previous commission meeting and since then the
commission has looked it over. Commissioner Skelton made a motion to adopt
904 A-1 Agriculture into the Unified Land Use Code. Commissioner Gohagan
second the motion. The motion passed by vote: Commissioner Skelton (aye)
and Commissioner Gohagan (aye). At this time Commissioner Skelton if there
was any who would like to discuss this adoption. There were none.
c) Appendix L – Commissioner Skelton stated Appendix L regarding Data Centers,
Innovation and Research Campuses, Colocation Centers, Server Farms, Data
Halls, Information Technology Centers, Computing Centers, Data Processing
Centers, and Similar Facilities has been through the Planning & Zoning Board
and was recommended for approval on June 6th, 2026. At this time
Commissioner Skelton made a motion to adopt Appendix L as written in the
ULUC. Commissioner Gohagan second the motion. The motion passed by vote:
Commissioner Skelton (aye) and Commissioner Gohagan (aye).
Commissioner Skelton opened the floor to discussion. At this time Blake Hodits
read a letter to the Commission that stated that he has never asked the
commission to approve a data center and that he is here today about the
Ordinance and how it was written. Mr. Hodits asked what came of the review

that was requested of the County Counselor Charlie Dickman assessing the
constitutional validity of the language and where it was published. County
Counselor Charlie Dickman stated he has looked at the language and it is
constitutionally permissible and valid. Mr. Hodits continued reading the rest of
his letter to the commission. Commissioner Skelton asked if anyone wanted to
comment on this issue. At this time Kris Franken, the author of this Appendix
clarified some of the statements made by Mr. Hodits. Mr. Franken also stated
that across the nation, including the city of Camdenton, there are moratoriums
on the construction of data centers and Camden County chose not to go that
way because we value property rights and chose to create an ordinance so
rather than telling someone you cannot do something, we are saying you can
but you are going to do it responsibly. Commissioner Skelton stated for the
record that this Appendix is for the 3 ½ mile zone of planning & zoning around
Lake of the Ozarks. It does not include the rest of Camden County. He stated
that the Ordinance may the rest of Camden County, but the Appendix is
specifically for the planning and zoning district that Camden County has. At this
time Commissioner Skelton asked if anyone else had comments. Michael
McDuffy made a comment about needing planning & zoning for Lake of the
Ozark and that they are doing a great job.
Bid Opening – 260820 Transportation Treatment Court — Two bids were received;
one from MTS Transportation Services and one from Lake Ride Pros, LLC.
Commissioner Skelton made a motion to table this item until the next Commission
meeting to give time to review the bids. Commissioner Gohagan second the
motion. The motion passed by vote: Commissioner Skelton (aye) and
Commissioner Gohagan (aye).
At this time Commissioner Skelton asked if anyone would like to bring something
before the commission that is not on the agenda. Jessica Whitworth spoke
regarding her concerns with what is going on at Mother Nature’s Campground,
specifically with the Insane Clown Posee event currently taking place, and what
changes could be made. Ms. Whitworth along with other citizens addressed their
concerns regarding the noise level, the time music is played, and littering.

Discussion was had. Commissioner Skelton stated there is a state statute for noise
after 11:00 p.m. and advised to call law enforcement. Commissioner Skelton also
stated that he will make the appropriate people at the campground aware of their
concerns and can look into other things that can be done moving forward. No
motions were made.
At this time Robert Bixby spoke about the improvements needed on Tranquil
Woods Road that were previously agreed upon by the Commission and then a
month later rescinded due to budget issues. He addressed his concerns with the
large sum of money to pave another road. Discussion was had. No motions were
made.
Adjourn: With no further official business on the agenda, Commissioner Gohagan
made a motion to adjourn to any unofficial business that may develop during the
day. Commissioner Skelton seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:
Commissioner Gohagan (aye) and Commissioner Skelton (aye). Session closed at
10:56 A.M.
Ordered that the Commission adjourn until further notice.

_______________________________

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Ike Skelton, Presiding Commissioner

Alyssa Ross, Admin. Assistant