Attendee Lauren Romero speaks against the proposed data center during the public comment portion of the Feb. 3 San Marcos City Council meeting. (Michael Milliorn/Community Impact)
Dozens of San Marcos residents spoke to the City Council in relation to a data center proposed on the western side of Francis Harris Lane, voicing both support and opposition for the project.
The reception
The council held a public hearing on proposed zoning and map designation changes related to the data center at a Feb. 3 meeting.
Community members utilized both the public comment portion and public hearing agenda item to voice their opposition to the data center. Attendees continued to raise concerns regarding the potential impact on residents in the area, high water usage and excessive electricity usage.
Prior to the council meeting, the city received a petition signed by owners of at least 20% of the land surrounding the proposed data center voicing opposition to the project. The petition’s submittal triggers a required 6-1 supermajority vote to pass the request for zoning and map designation changes.
Some residents shared support for the project, citing the addition of construction jobs necessary to complete the data center.
The background
The land owners’ request would see a Preferred Scenario Map amendment for approximately 200 acres of land, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The land would have its “Conservation/Cluster” designation changed to “Commercial/Employment Low.” It would rezone the land from “Future Development” to “Light Industrial,” a less strict zoning district classification, as well.
The proposed change is the second request for the tract of land by owners Highlander SM One LLC, or John Maberry, and Donald and Germaine Tuff. The original request asked for the same zoning and map designation changes, and failed to meet the necessary supermajority vote to pass the council last August.
John Maberry, owner of the property proposing the zoning and map designation changes, listens as an attendee speaks during the public comment portion of the Feb.3 San Marcos City Council meeting. (Michael Milliorn/Community Impact)
The original request had been recommended for denial by the San Marcos Planning and Zoning Commission, or PZC, in March 2025 before the August council vote, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The PZC approved a recommendation for the current designation amendment request at a Jan. 13 meeting.
The next steps
The tract of land west of Francis Harris Lane is currently zoned and entitled for the development of single-family homes. The council will address the requested designation amendment and zoning change at the following upcoming meetings:
Feb. 17: City Council public hearing and first reading
March 3: City Council ordinance reconsideration, second and final reading
