North Richland Hills City Council unanimously approves more data center regulations

The North Richland Hills City Council recently voted unanimously to amend zoning requirements for data centers within the city. Following a public hearing on Monday, July 27, the council decided that data centers must now obtain specific use permits before operation.

Planning Director Cori Reaume informed the council that these permits would allow city staff to evaluate potential impacts on noise, water systems, and adjacent properties. This move comes after a FlashVote survey revealed residents' top concerns, including high water usage, noise from backup generators, and the potential for infrastructure demands to outstrip tax revenues. Resident Karen Martin highlighted concerns about the electricity grid and "heat islands" from data centers, emphasizing the urgency of new regulations.

The city had previously adopted data center regulations in June 2025, which permitted data centers over 10,000 square feet on industrial property by right or commercial property with a specific use permit. All data centers are required to meet certain criteria, such as completely enclosing cooling, ventilation, and power generation systems, or screening them with barriers at least 100 feet from residential properties. Generator testing schedules were also specified.

The recent regulatory adjustments are partly a response to ongoing community dialogue and specific development proposals. Mayor Jack McCarty has expressed serious concerns about data centers located near homes due to potential noise and increased electricity costs, particularly after a meeting with Provident, a developer proposing a 21-acre data center at 5201 Rufe Snow Drive.