Red Oak residents push back on building data center

Name: Red Oak residents push back on building data center
Uploaded: 2026-05-12T03:15:08.000Z
Duration: 2 min 43 s
Description: Red Oak, Texas residents are actively opposing a proposed 800-acre data center development, which requires a zoning change from agricultural land. Concerns raised at a city council meeting include demands on power, water supply, and noise, despite city leaders' attempts to dispel some fears regarding water usage and tax revenue. The city council is expected to vote on the proposal.

News Clip2:43FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth·Red Oak, Ellis County, TX·5/12/2026

Red Oak, Texas residents are actively opposing a proposed 800-acre data center development, which requires a zoning change from agricultural land. Concerns raised at a city council meeting include demands on power, water supply, and noise, despite city leaders' attempts to dispel some fears regarding water usage and tax revenue. The city council is expected to vote on the proposal.

zoningoppositionenvironmentalelectricitywatergovernment

Gov: Red Oak City Council, City leaders

The Red Oak City Council in Ellis County, south of Dallas, is currently deliberating a zoning change that would pave the way for an 800-acre data center development. Residents have launched a petition against the proposal and vocalized their concerns during a city council meeting, drawing such a large crowd that the hall's capacity was exceeded.

Key issues for opponents include increased demand on power and water supplies, as well as noise pollution. Frustration grew among residents when the city council entered an executive session for nearly an hour, and an hour was allotted for both proponents and opponents to speak. While city leaders attempted to allay fears, stating the center would not draw on city water for cooling and emphasizing potential millions in tax revenue, residents remained unconvinced, questioning the project's proximity to residential areas and schools.

FOX 4's Vania Castillo reported live from the ongoing meeting, noting the determination of residents who were prepared to stay until 2 a.m. for a decision. A vote from the city council on the proposed data center is anticipated today.