Fort Worth Zoning Commission moves against data center regulations
The Fort Worth Zoning Commission has voted against the city's proposed data center-specific zoning regulations, which included new standards for development, setbacks, noise mitigation, and a ban on cryptocurrency mining. Residents urged the commission to reject these changes, arguing they did not go far enough. The Fort Worth City Council will consider these regulations next month as part of a broader policy package.
The Fort Worth Zoning Commission recently voted against a set of proposed data center-specific zoning regulations. These regulations aimed to establish new standards for data center development within the city, including limiting where facilities could be built, requiring setbacks from residential neighborhoods, implementing new rules for noise mitigation and landscaping, and banning cryptocurrency mining operations.
Despite the proposals, dozens of local residents voiced their concerns to the commissioners, urging them to reject the changes. Their primary objection was that the proposed regulations did not go far enough to adequately protect the citizens of Fort Worth, with one resident encouraging the city to "give itself the gift of time" to develop more pertinent zoning regulations.
While the Zoning Commission's vote is a significant recommendation, it is not the final decision. The Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to review and consider these data center regulations next month as part of a larger policy package.