EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14/CBS4) — As multiple data center projects move forward across the Borderland, the city of El Paso is asking residents to weigh in on new guidelines meant to shape how future developments are handled.
Community meetings are set to begin as the city works on a best practices guide for data center development in El Paso.
City Rep. Josh Acevedo, who represents Central and Northeast El Paso and was one of two representatives who proposed the item, said he expects more data center businesses to come to the city.
“I think that there’s gonna be more businesses that are gonna come into El Paso, specifically data centers. So if we don’t have some sort of policy framework moving forward, I think that would be dangerous to the community, and we’re hearing the community loud and clear,” Acevedo said.
City Council voted 5-3 in February to direct the city manager to develop the guidelines.
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The vote came as representatives said they were hearing concerns from residents about data centers and their resource use.
The meetings will be held in an open house format, giving attendees a chance to share their thoughts, learn about current projects and talk with city staff.
The city also plans to create an online portal with information that will be added to the guidelines.
The city expects the guidelines to be ready and presented to City Council later this spring.
Six meetings are planned.
ALL MEETING DETAILS:
The first is scheduled for March 23 at the Don Haskins Recreation Center. All meetings will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
RELATED: El Paso City Council set to discuss data center policy framework
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