Council to Vote Thursday on Stricter Data Center Oversight as Mayor Pushes Stronger Protections
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is urging the City Council to adopt stricter data center regulations requiring individual council approval, advance notice, public meetings, stronger noise rules and environmental protections. The council is scheduled to vote on the proposed ordinance as residents and environmental groups raise concerns about noise, air quality, electricity demand, water use and property values.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is backing a proposal that would require City Council review of new data centers and increase public participation before applications are filed and approved. The proposed Option 2+ ordinance would also establish stronger noise restrictions, setbacks, air-quality monitoring, backup-generator standards and green-space replacement requirements.
The council is scheduled to vote on Oct. 29 after months of debate involving council members, residents and environmental organizations. The city’s Zoning Commission has recommended a compromise allowing automatic approval in some industrial districts while requiring specific authorization in other commercial and industrial areas. Officials have also discussed a temporary construction pause, but the city determined that state law would make a building moratorium difficult to implement and instead continued work on zoning amendments. CPS Energy and the San Antonio Water System would address separate electricity and water-service issues.