Tarrant County judge temporarily blocks Westlake from voting on data center agreement
A Tarrant County judge has temporarily blocked the Town of Westlake, Texas, from voting on a development agreement for the proposed Circle T data center, citing a temporary restraining order based on claims from residents. This action has delayed the council's vote amidst strong public opposition from residents in Westlake and neighboring Keller concerned about potential impacts on health, property values, and quality of life. The Westlake Town Council has since tabled the vote until August 26.
A Tarrant County judge has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the Town of Westlake, Texas, from proceeding with a vote on a development agreement for the 1.1 million-square-foot Circle T data center. The proposed complex, located off Highway 377 near the Keller border and straddling Tarrant and Denton counties, has faced significant opposition from area residents.
The TRO was announced minutes before a scheduled special Westlake Town Council meeting and is based on claims from the Marshall Ridge HOA in Keller and two Westlake residents. They allege Westlake failed to provide proper public notice for prior planning and zoning actions related to the data center, arguing the project would cause "imminent and irreparable harm" to nearby residential property. Following the judge's order, the Westlake Town Council decided to table the vote until August 26.
Public comment at Westlake's council meeting lasted over an hour and a half, primarily featuring concerns from Keller residents about noise, property values, and quality of life impacts. Keller Mayor Ross McMullin stated the city would continue to review its options as the matter proceeds through the courts. Westlake Mayor Kim Greaves acknowledged the court's order and emphasized the council's responsibility to protect residents with strict development standards for noise, water, power, emissions, and other factors. Jeff Parsons, Senior Vice President of Development and Construction for Powerhouse, the developer, agreed to share noise monitoring data but stopped short of allowing Westlake to have independent monitoring devices.