The Brief

Fort Worth zoning officials voted against proposed zoning restrictions for data centers following resident complaints about noise and light pollution.

Proposed changes would require data centers to be set back up to 250 feet from homes and ban cryptocurrency mining as a primary use.

The Fort Worth City Council will review the new amendments on Aug. 4, with a final vote expected as early as Aug. 11.

FORT WORTH, Texas – Fort Worth zoning officials rejected proposed recommendations for data centers built in the city on Wednesday. 

Leaders spent much of the day addressing concerns over data centers in nearby neighborhoods and how it affects their quality of life.

Fort Worth Data Centers

What we know

Fort Worth’s zoning commission voted 7-4 against new restrictions on data centers in the city.

Some members said they need more information before imposing regulations on a constantly changing industry.

Currently, Fort Worth does not have any specific regulations when it comes to the construction of data centers within city limits. They follow industrial development standards.

By the numbers

Fort Worth already has four operational data centers. There are another five that are planned or already under construction.

According to the city, the data centers have generated more than $83 million in property taxes for Fort Worth over the past five years.

Complaint data compiled over those five years has been minimal.

What they’re saying

Still, many residents are worried that data centers could impact their quality of life, with concerns about things like noise and light pollution.

Some of the residents spoke at Wednesday’s zoning meeting.

“What I’m concerned with is the speed at which these things seemed to be pushed through and it’s too fast in my opinion,” one resident said.

In response to the feedback, city staff made the following recommendations, including that:

buildings are set back 250 feet from residential areas

all standby generators are 350 feet from residential areas and fully screened

rooftop cooling equipment is behind an acoustic barrier 1.5 times the height of the equipment

there is a landscape buffering yard of 50 feet with a screening fence along all residential areas

The city also proposed a zoning agreement that would prohibit cryptocurrency mining as a primary use.

However, the city cannot regulate energy use, water planning, air quality control, or any state tax exemptions and incentives. Only the state has the authority to regulate those things.

What’s next

Despite the vote, Fort Worth City Council will have final say on the recommendations.

The Fort Worth City Council will have a work session on Aug. 4 to discuss the proposed amendments. The council could vote on the final changes during the Aug. 11 meeting.

The Source

FOX 4’s Alex Boyer gathered information for this story at a Fort Worth Zoning Commission meeting.