Project Tomahawk developer scraps plans for Prosper data center
White Rose Partners has withdrawn its application for Project Tomahawk, a proposed data center in Prosper, Texas, after facing significant community opposition and a unanimous recommendation of denial from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The developer cited a desire not to build where they are not wanted, and the application is officially closed. Residents had raised concerns about the project's impact on noise, water, and electricity.
White Rose Partners has withdrawn its plans for Project Tomahawk, a proposed data center in Prosper, Texas. The developer's decision came ahead of a scheduled Prosper Town Council meeting, following a unanimous 7-0 recommendation of denial from the Prosper Planning and Zoning Commission, which cited significant community pushback.
The project involved rezoning 37.3 acres from agricultural to a planned development district to allow for the construction of a 225,000-square-foot data center. This site was deemed ideal due to its proximity to an existing Brazos Electric Power Cooperative substation. However, residents, organized through groups like Prosper Residents for Responsible Land Use, voiced extensive concerns during a September 1st meeting, focusing on potential noise levels, water usage, power consumption, and the impact on local electricity rates. Prosper Mayor David Bristol echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for clearer state and local guidelines for data center developments.
Community organizers Katy Murray and Aileen Blachowski spearheaded opposition efforts, which included gathering over 2,000 petition signatures and submitting more than 400 comments to town staff. Following the withdrawal, Jeff Eigenbrood, a managing partner at White Rose Partners, stated, "We don't want to go into communities where we're not wanted." The application for Project Tomahawk is now officially closed.
While the immediate project has been blocked, Murray and Blachowski expressed hope that this outcome would motivate local governments to establish comprehensive policy frameworks for future data center proposals, emphasizing continued community vigilance.