SAN ANTONIO — Data centers filled with computer servers are popping up across the country, including around San Antonio.
But there is plenty of pushback. Some residents do not want them built close to their homes, while others are concerned about noise and how much power the facilities use.
“We did advocate for a specific use permit,” said Rachel Hanes, Policy Manager with the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance.
A specific use permit would require individual data-center plans to be presented to City Council and the public before construction begins.
“Specific use means they would have to meet those specific requirements just to them, just to where they are located,” Hanes said.
But Bill Kaufman, a data center representative at the meeting, said that process would create too much uncertainty and slow development.
“It’s too much uncertainty,” Kaufman said.
Instead, developers would prefer set rules that would allow them to begin building immediately if they meet the requirements.
“Otherwise, what are they gonna do? They’ll go right outside the city limits on the other side of 211 and be in Medina County,” Kaufman said.
The proposed amendments are scheduled to go before the Zoning Commission on September 15. They would then move to the Planning and Community Development Committee before being presented to City Council for approval on October 15.