Why Westlake and Keller are divided over a data center
A proposed data center at the Westlake-Keller border in Texas was approved by Westlake's Planning and Zoning Commission, but Keller residents filed a lawsuit, leading to a temporary restraining order from a Tarrant County judge. The project is currently on pause, with residents expressing concerns about environmental impacts and quality of life. A hearing is scheduled for August 26th to determine the order's enforcement.
A proposed data center project situated on the border of Westlake and Keller, two affluent Dallas suburbs in Texas, has generated significant division. Westlake's Planning and Zoning Commission initially approved the plan for the 88-acre Circle T data center site, which is privately owned within Westlake's jurisdiction. Westlake officials champion the development as a substantial investment expected to boost town revenue and potentially reduce residents' property taxes, also noting that the project incorporates sound-dampening technology and tree planting to mitigate impacts.
However, residents of the adjacent Keller neighborhood, which sits directly against the property line, have voiced strong opposition. They argue they would experience the negative consequences, such as environmental impacts and noise pollution, without any of the financial benefits. Despite the property being zoned for commercial use since 1998, its close proximity to Keller homes has fueled the dispute.
The conflict escalated when Keller residents filed a lawsuit, prompting a Tarrant County judge to issue a temporary restraining order that has halted Westlake from proceeding with the project. A crucial hearing is scheduled for August 26th to determine the duration and enforcement of this order, leaving the data center's future uncertain.