San Antonio Councilwoman Opposes New Data Center Approval Requirements
San Antonio City Council adopted a requirement that new data centers obtain Council approval through a Specific Use Authorization. District 9 Councilwoman Misty Spears opposed the added approval step, saying it could discourage investment, while urging facility-specific review of water consumption and infrastructure needs.
San Antonio City Councilwoman Misty Spears criticized the City Council’s decision to require new data centers to receive Council approval through a Specific Use Authorization. She warned that the additional vote could create uncertainty for developers and drive investment, construction jobs and tax revenue to other communities.
Spears said she preferred a Zoning Commission recommendation combining development standards with a predictable approval process in heavier industrial districts. She also called for water use to be evaluated according to each facility’s cooling technology and resource demands, while requiring developers to address neighborhood impacts and fund needed infrastructure.