Battle over proposed data center in Westlake | NBCDFW
A legal battle over a proposed data center near the Westlake-Keller border in Texas continues, with a temporary restraining order having just expired. Keller residents, concerned about noise, power, and water use, filed a lawsuit, prompting a Tarrant County judge to hear the case today. The outcome will influence the Westlake Town's vote on the development agreement.
A legal battle over a controversial 87-acre data center project, planned near the Westlake-Keller border in Texas, is reaching a critical juncture. A temporary restraining order (TRO) that had previously halted further action on the project expired today, with a Tarrant County judge scheduled to hear the case at 10 a.m.
Keller residents have vocally opposed the development for months, filing a lawsuit that argues the facility would sit just hundreds of feet from their homes. Their concerns include potential noise, high power demands, and significant water usage, which they believe will negatively impact their community. One resident questioned, "Would you want an AI data center built 500ft from your neighborhood?"
Despite the opposition, Westlake officials, including Mayor Kim Graves, have defended the process. Graves stated that developers met with both Westlake and Keller leadership in December 2024 and noted that the property has been designated for commercial and industrial use for decades. The town plans to schedule a future meeting to vote on the development agreement once today's court hearing is complete. The outcome of the hearing will determine the timeline for this vote and the ability of residents in both Keller and Westlake to pursue further legal challenges against the project.