‘Represent us’: Tensions flare over Taylor data center growth
Residents in Taylor, Texas, urged the City Council to enact a temporary moratorium on data center development through a petition, but the council declined, citing state law. The city is, however, working on updating its zoning code with new restrictions for data centers. This comes amidst ongoing opposition and an appealed lawsuit against Blueprint Data Centers.
Residents of Taylor, Texas, expressed significant frustration at a recent City Council meeting after officials declined to act on a petition calling for a temporary pause on data center development. The petition, signed by over 1,400 residents and organized by HALT Taylor Data Centers, sought to ban data center construction until a specific zoning district for digital infrastructure is adopted. Minutes into the contentious meeting, the city announced via social media that state law prohibits zoning changes through popular vote, effectively blocking the petition from moving forward, which drew angry reactions from attendees.
Community members, including Pamela Griffin and Carrie D’Anna, voiced concerns about the impact of data centers on human lives and urged the council to represent their interests. Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Cmerek clarified that the city's decision was based on legal process, not a judgment on the concerns. The city acknowledged an 87-acre tract originally deeded for a public park was being slated for a data center, further fueling opposition.
Despite declining the petition, the City of Taylor stated it is actively working on updating its zoning code to further regulate "digital infrastructure" developments. Proposed changes include restrictions on water and energy usage, noise levels, light and air pollution, setbacks from homes, and requirements for annual transparency reports from operators. The City Council is expected to vote on these new zoning codes in September. Separately, a lawsuit against Blueprint Data Centers, related to a 135,000-square-foot facility approved in 2024 near a predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhood, was dismissed by a state District Court judge last October but has since been appealed. The article also notes that Samsung Electronics' $17 billion chip factory has attracted several data developers to the Austin suburb, and other Texas cities and counties like San Marcos and Hays County have enacted or discussed similar moratoriums.