McLennan County Commissioners reject agricultural district petition aimed at curbing data center development
McLennan County residents petitioned for an Agricultural Development District to prevent data center development. County commissioners rejected the petition, stating such districts lack zoning authority over private property. Residents were urged to address the issue at the state level.
McLennan County residents, concerned about the proliferation of data centers, petitioned the McLennan County Commissioners Court to establish the state's first Agricultural Development District. This initiative, supported by the Texas Coalition Against Data Centers, aimed to protect parts of the county from further data center development, citing environmental concerns such as pollution, increased temperatures, and light pollution.
During a public hearing, residents like Bryce Chapman voiced their worries about living next to a large data center. However, County Attorney Mike Dixon clarified that Agricultural Development Districts, authorized under Chapter 60 of the Texas Agricultural Code, do not possess zoning power or authority over private property and therefore cannot prevent data centers.
County Judge Scott Felton and Precinct One Commissioner Jim Smith acknowledged the residents' concerns but stated that the county's authority is limited as a subdivision of the state. The commissioners ultimately voted against approving the Agricultural Development District, advising residents to elevate their concerns to the state level.
T.A. Smith, founder of the Texas Coalition Against Data Centers, expressed disappointment with the outcome, calling the hearing a "dog and pony show" and vowing to continue the fight against data center expansion at all levels of government.