Fort Worth City Council is set to weigh beginning the process of enacting a moratorium on data center developments.
Abigail Dollins
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The City of Fort Worth is set to officially begin the process of deciding whether to adopt a moratorium on new data center developments.
On Friday, a majority of the Fort Worth City Council called for the moratorium as the city weighs potential new regulations on data centers. The move came after the Fort Worth Zoning Commission voted on July 8 not to recommend that the city council adopt a sweeping proposal that would bring data centers into the city’s zoning code and establish development standards for them.
The new regulations, which would also include rules governing water use, noise, and economic development agreements related to data centers, are still expected to be voted on by the city council at its meeting on Aug. 11, a city spokesperson told the Star-Telegram.
Now, the council will also vote on an ordinance at that meeting that would “initiate the legal process, as outlined under state law, to enact a moratorium on new data center development applications while the City completes its regulatory framework,” according to a press release from the city.
At its work session on Aug. 4, according to that press release, the council will receive an update summarizing input from residents, possible revisions to the proposed regulations, and an overview of the moratorium process.
That ordinance would begin a lengthy public hearing process required under Texas state law. The city council would not be able to vote on enacting the moratorium until December.
“The City will continue working with residents, industry stakeholders and the City Council to develop regulations that protect neighborhoods, preserve quality of life and establish clear expectations for responsible, best-in-class data center development in Fort Worth,” the city’s press release reads.
The city also announced that it will not be providing interviews about data centers to journalists until the Aug. 11 meeting.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Emily Holshouser is a local news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Harrison Mantas has covered Fort Worth city government, agencies and people since September 2021. He likes to live tweet city hall meetings, and help his fellow Fort Worthians figure out what’s going on.