Taylor residents outraged after city rejects data center petition
Taylor residents are frustrated after the City Council rejected a citizen-led petition aimed at restricting future data center development due to legal limitations on enacting zoning changes via popular vote. The city has apologized for the timing of the announcement and stated it is already pursuing its own amendments to regulate digital infrastructure, including environmental protection and water conservation.
Taylor, Texas residents expressed significant frustration after the city council announced that a citizen-led petition, intended to restrict future data center development, could not legally proceed. The petition, submitted by the HALT Taylor Data Centers coalition in June, sought to amend the city's land development code to prohibit data centers in existing zoning districts until a specific digital infrastructure zoning district was established.
During a city council meeting on Thursday night, where residents gathered to discuss the petition, the city of Taylor posted a statement on social media and its website declaring that Texas law prevents cities from enacting or changing zoning through a popular vote. This timing drew sharp criticism from residents who felt blindsided, arguing the decision was announced before the council publicly discussed the proposal or allowed for resident input on the legal determination. Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Cmerek later apologized for the inappropriate release of the information.
Cmerek clarified that the city's determination was based purely on legal limitations of the initiative process, not a dismissal of residents' concerns. Furthermore, the city announced it is already actively pursuing its own amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code to regulate digital infrastructure, addressing issues like environmental protection, neighborhood compatibility, noise, air quality, and water conservation. Public comment on these draft regulations will remain open through July, with an ordinance anticipated before the city council in September.