Data Centers in San Antonio Will Need City Council Approval
San Antonio City Council voted 9-2 to amend the Unified Development Code, requiring future data centers to obtain specific-use authorization before proceeding in certain areas. The changes also allow the city to impose case-by-case requirements involving setbacks, noise and signage, while additional rules remain under consideration.
The San Antonio City Council approved changes to the Unified Development Code that require data center developers to receive specific-use authorization from city leaders before moving forward in light-industrial and commercial areas. The council may also impose project-specific conditions related to distance from homes and schools, noise and signage.
Council members Misty Spears and Marc Whyte opposed the regulatory option that passed. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones previously proposed an alternative that included public notice, a 45-day prefiling period and noise limits; under the Zoning Commission’s description, data centers in more industrialized areas could avoid council approval if they meet distance, noise and lighting standards.