City Council votes for new data center regulations
The San Antonio City Council approved an ordinance requiring tighter data center restrictions and case-by-case council approval. The rules followed resident protests and concerns about data centers’ effects on neighborhoods, electricity demand and water supplies.
The San Antonio City Council voted 9-2 on Oct. 29 to adopt stricter data center regulations, rejecting a zoning commission proposal that would have allowed facilities to proceed under standardized rules. New data centers will instead require individual city council approval, with the changes taking effect immediately.
The decision followed protests by residents and advocates outside City Hall and a year of efforts led by District 6 Councilman Ric Galvan. Supporters cited potential impacts on neighborhoods, drinking water, electricity use and quality of life, while Council Members Misty Spears and Marc Whyte opposed the final measure, arguing it was more restrictive than necessary. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said San Antonio should learn from other cities as data center development expands nationwide.