San Antonio Mayor Jones pushes tougher data center rules, more funding for neighborhoods
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is urging the City Council to adopt stricter data center regulations ahead of a scheduled discussion. Her proposals include council approval of permits, advance public notice, neighborhood meetings, a 1,000-foot setback from residential areas, green-space replacement, enclosed diesel generators and voluntary disclosure of water and electricity use.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said the city needs stronger oversight of data centers after visiting a facility located about 650 feet from a playground and swimming pool. She cited concerns about generator emissions, noise, air quality, property values and the loss of green space, while acknowledging that San Antonio needs additional computing capacity because of its military and cybersecurity presence.
Jones said the City Council should consider requiring council approval for data center permits, 45 days' advance notice before applications are filed, two public meetings in affected neighborhoods and a 1,000-foot separation from residential areas. She also supports requiring developers to replace twice the green space removed, enclosing and ventilating diesel backup generators, and asking operators to voluntarily disclose their water and electricity consumption and identify public benefits for host communities. The council was preparing to discuss the proposed ordinance on Thursday, but no final rules had been adopted in the interview.