SAN ANTONIO – The nationwide issue of data centers has landed at the feet of San Antonio city leaders.
City Council discussed preparations ahead of time in its Wednesday meeting.
There hasn’t been confirmed plans for a new data center in San Antonio, Wednesday’s conversation outlined the council’s options if that day ever comes.
“The existing code does not regulate data centers and we need to come up with some requirements,” said one city staff member.
City council members discussed changes to its Unified Development Code (UDC), which outlines rules for land development and construction in the city.
The council discussed options to help regulate any potential data centers. District six councilman Ric Galvan has spearheaded community outreach on the issue.
“This is our opportunity for the city of San Antonio to have a say in any new data center developments here in our city,” the councilman said.
On Tuesday, the councilman hosted a townhall meeting getting community input on the possibility of new data center projects.
“I do not believe it is enough for residents just to know about the project,” Galvan said. “It is important for their public officials to also make clear where they stand on the project and to move it forward or not, depending on what the conversations look like.”
City staff presented the council with two options:
The first restricts data centers to industrial or commercial areas.
They’d have to be at least 500 ft. from housing, buildings, and landscaping — and out of the Edwards Research Recharge Zone. Any center falling outside of those guidelines would need to come to the council for special authorization.
Option two keeps all of those requirements; it also requires any data center plans to go before council first.
“I maybe see this completely differently for many in the room because I see this as the new frontier for our country,” District 9 Councilwoman Misty Spears said.
Councilmembers Spears and district 10 Marc Whyte opted to give the centers a chance while also protecting San Antonio’s own.
“Look, we’re in financially difficult times now,” Whyte said. “If all of a sudden they’re not coming here and we’re not getting that additional revenue.. I mean that is not going to be good for the city.”
Wednesday’s meeting was just a briefing. The council will meet on the issue again on Oct. 29.
We’ll keep you updated as we continue following this process.