Wichita Falls council denies 117-acre data center rezoning

The Wichita Falls City Council unanimously denied a rezoning request for approximately 117 acres of land located on the city's north side, between I-44 and Airport Drive, which was intended for a proposed data center. The applicant, a group named TX DATA, represented by attorney Brad Altman, sought the rezoning but had not revealed a specific developer for the project. During public comment and council deliberation, significant concerns were raised regarding the potential benefits to the city, the lack of detailed information on future impacts, and the identity of the ultimate developer. Councilors questioned TX DATA about traffic studies and light pollution, to which the group acknowledged concerns but stated that future studies would be necessary. TX DATA member Stephen McDaniel admitted the group was essentially flipping the land for a future data center developer, which further heightened councilors' unease about working with an unknown entity. Despite Altman's argument that the project would broaden the city's tax base, the council expressed discomfort with the uncertainty, leading to the unanimous denial. Brad Altman indicated that TX DATA intends to work with the city to mitigate the issues discussed and plans to resubmit their proposal in the future.