Commissioners Consider Three Options For Data Centers

Farmersville Planning and Zoning commissioners reviewed three possible ways the city could handle future data center proposals but took no action, saying more information is needed before writing new rules. The discussion focused on how the city could prepare for a project that has not yet been formally proposed.

Officials outlined three options. The city could take no action for now, formally define data centers in the zoning ordinance and create specific regulations, or require any future data center to seek planned development zoning. That third option would allow the city to review a specific property and set project-specific requirements before approval.

A city representative said Farmersville's current zoning ordinance generally does not allow uses that are not defined. However, a future applicant could argue that a data center fits within an existing category such as utilities, offices, storage or utility facilities, which could force city officials to decide whether the use belongs in one of those classifications.

Commissioners said writing detailed standards now could be difficult without knowing the size, location or operating needs of an actual proposal. They discussed how rules on noise, setbacks, screening, water use, electricity demand and other development standards could become a significant undertaking.

Members ultimately agreed that the city should stay prepared to respond if an application is submitted, but that adopting regulations immediately could be premature while the industry and state-level reporting and regulation continue to evolve. Officials also noted that any zoning rules Farmersville adopts would apply only inside city limits, not in the extraterritorial jurisdiction or elsewhere in the county.