Lubbock City Council rezones land for industrial use amid data center fears, public outcry
The Lubbock City Council rezoned 7.9 acres west of the airport for industrial use and annexed it, sparking significant public anger and fears of a data center development. Despite officials stating a data center is unlikely for the rail-served property, residents protested the decision, leading to threats of recall against council members. A campaign for a data center moratorium is also actively collecting signatures to force council action.
The Lubbock City Council's vote to rezone 7.9 acres of land west of the airport for industrial use and annex it into the city has generated a heated public backlash, with residents expressing strong fears that the site will be used for a data center. The decision led to an overflow crowd at Tuesday's council meeting, with many shouting in protest and threatening recall efforts against council members.
Despite the public outcry, officials like John Osborne, CEO of the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA), asserted that a data center is