Tarrant County Commissioner Holds Town Hall on Data Center Concerns

Tarrant County Commissioner Matt Krause (R-Pct. 3) hosted a town hall to gather constituent feedback regarding data center developments, particularly a large-scale project proposed for the Town of Westlake, adjacent to the city of Keller. Residents expressed anxieties over potential decreases in property values, impact on quality of life, and the transparency of government officials and data center operators. Realtor Hilarie Finfrock estimated a possible 20 percent decline in home values near data centers.

Attendees at the meeting, including Keller residents J.R. Buzzell and Holly Doty, highlighted an ordinance passed by the Town of Westlake on January 6, 2025. This ordinance amended the Circle T Ranch planned development district, allowing data centers in the "Office/Industrial" subdistrict, increasing building height limits to 80 feet, establishing a 150-foot setback from residences, and permitting electrical substations. Critics argue these changes were made strategically to facilitate the current data center proposal with minimal resident input.

Further escalating the situation, the Lakes at Marshall Ridge Homeowners Association in Keller was granted a temporary restraining order, which has since been extended to September 25. This order prevents the Town of Westlake from approving a development agreement for the Circle T Data Center, which would have authorized immediate grading and construction. Commissioner Krause expressed satisfaction with the town hall's turnout and dialogue, stating his intention to present the collected feedback to state legislators in Austin to advocate for a comprehensive regulatory framework for data centers in Texas.