Judge blocks vote on Westlake data center amid lawsuit | NBCDFW
A Tarrant County judge has issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the Westlake Town Council from voting on a proposed data center development near the Westlake-Keller border. This action follows a lawsuit filed by residents who oppose the project due to concerns over pollution, electricity, water usage, and noise. The order provides short-term relief, pausing the council's decision on a developer's agreement.
A Tarrant County judge issued a temporary restraining order, preventing the Westlake Town Council from taking official action on a proposed data center development. The order, filed by residents in Keller, effectively paused a vote on a developer's agreement for the project, which was scheduled for a special council meeting. This decision was met with applause from attending residents, who have voiced significant pushback against the 87-acre, 1,000,000+ sq ft data center planned along Highway 377 at the Westlake-Keller city line.
Residents expressed concerns about potential pollution, electricity consumption, water usage, and noise from the facility, which they fear would negatively impact their neighborhoods and children's health. While the temporary order provides them with time to organize, some anticipate the issue will resurface. During the brief council meeting, residents were given an opportunity to speak, urging council members to consider the project's proximity to residential areas.
Westlake Mayor Kim Graves addressed claims that Keller officials were "blindsided" by the project, stating that developers had met with leadership from both Westlake and Keller in December 2024 to discuss the details. Mayor Graves declined further comment on the judge's order. The temporary restraining order provides a short-term halt to the development process as legal challenges continue.