City of Wichita Falls approves new temporary housing ordinance for data center workers

The City of Wichita Falls Planning and Zoning Commission has approved amendments to code ordinances designed to accommodate temporary housing for the estimated 7,500 workers expected to construct data centers in the Texoma region, including Wichita Falls. The approved ordinance aims to regulate where these temporary workers can reside, allowing private landowners to lease their property to large corporations for specific construction or industrial projects, while also limiting living or sleeping in temporary vehicles, such as RVs, within city limits to designated areas like manufactured home parks, RV parks, or approved temporary workforce sites. Fabian Medellin, Director for Development Services, stated that these approvals are temporary and project-specific, intended to protect the local housing market. He added that enforcement actions could be taken to ensure the land reverts to its prior use once projects are completed. The commission's approval is not final, as the proposed ordinance now moves to the city council for a vote on its implementation, which is expected to occur at the beginning of June.