Council approves citywide ban on data centers
The San Marcos City Council has approved a citywide ban on data center developments by amending the development code's Land Use Matrix. This decision, which passed 4-3, prohibits data centers in all zoning districts within the city. The vote reversed a previous attempt to pass a similar amendment in March.
The San Marcos City Council has formally enacted a citywide ban on data center developments, a decision made during its June 16 meeting. Council Member Lorenzo Gonzalez initiated the successful motion to amend the city's development code, specifically its Land Use Matrix, to prohibit data centers across all zoning districts. This action reverses a similar proposal by Council Member Amanda Rodriguez in March that had previously failed.
The final vote was four to three in favor of the ban, with Mayor Jane Hughson and Council Members Josh Paselk and Matthew Mendoza dissenting. Mayor Hughson expressed a desire to maintain the possibility of future data center development, hoping for technological advancements, while Paselk agreed, stating he didn't want to "close the door altogether." However, Gonzalez argued that the current process had too many loopholes and lacked transparency, suggesting the code could be revisited if technology improved.
Council Member Alyssa Garza commended the leadership of Gonzalez and Rodriguez, as well as the active participation of constituents who provided updated studies and engaged in discussions, acknowledging the rapid evolution of the data center conversation.