Prosper commission recommends denial of $580 million data center
The Prosper Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended denial of Project Tomahawk, a proposed $580 million data center, after significant resident opposition and concerns over project details. The application involved rezoning 37.3 acres from agricultural to allow for the data center, which will now go before the Prosper Town Council for a final decision. This local development also comes amidst a statewide pause on data center approvals by Governor Greg Abbott.
The Prosper Planning and Zoning Commission has unanimously recommended the denial of Project Tomahawk, a proposed $580 million data center, following extensive community opposition. The commission voted 7-0 against the project, citing concerns that it did not align with the town's long-term strategic vision.
Developer White Rose Partners sought to rezone 37.3 acres near FM 1385 and Parvin Road from agricultural use to a planned development. Residents, including Mayor David Bristol speaking as a private citizen, voiced opposition for over an hour, focusing on issues like noise levels, power consumption, water usage, and a perceived lack of transparency from the developers. An advocacy group, Prosper Residents for Responsible Land Use, garnered over 1,600 petition signatures against the project.
The proposed 225,000-square-foot facility aimed to utilize a closed-loop water system and establish a 65-decibel noise limit. White Rose Partners highlighted the site's proximity to a Brazos Electric Power Cooperative substation and projected 20-50 permanent jobs along with up to $2.5 million in annual revenue for Prosper. However, commissioners questioned the project's specifics, noting that many details, including tenant information and exact power needs, remained undetermined.
The decision by the Planning and Zoning Commission is a recommendation; the project is slated for a final review by the Prosper Town Council on September 8. This local debate coincides with a statewide development: Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily halted new data center approvals pending an audit of their impact on the power grid, and state legislators are considering tighter regulations for data centers in the upcoming 2027 session.