Denton City Council members unanimously voted Oct. 13 to adopt development code amendments related to data center zoning restrictions, their proximity to homes and required environmental protections.
The details
The Denton Development Code updates are intended to prevent facilities from impacting neighboring homes and businesses, keep land use standards up to date with current data center trends, protect water supplies and prevent surface water and groundwater contamination, Assistant Planning Director Angie Glass said at the meeting.
They also act as a stopgap while the city considers a moratorium, a temporary pause on accepting and processing new applications.
“[These amendments protect] us more while we're going through the moratorium phase,” Councilmember George Ferrie said.
Updates to the code for data centers include:
Restricting data centers from being constructed anywhere in Denton to zoning districts labeled as light industrial, heavy industrial and public facility, all three of which require a special use permit
Restricting water cooling methods to closed-loop or free-air systems
Requiring water and wastewater demand studies with their initial application
Expanding the minimum setback from residential zones from 100 feet to 300 feet
Prohibiting any light spillover into residential property lines
Requiring approvals from the Texas Public Utility Commission and Electric Reliability Council of Texas prior to placement on a City Council agenda for consideration
The amendments apply to the two previously permitted data centers in Denton if they expand or modify their sites in the future, along with new data center developments within city limits.
The city rejected a new data center application in early October because it did not meet all of the city’s initial submission requirements, Glass said. City Attorney Mack Reinwand said parts of that application could potentially be reviewed under the prior standards.
What’s next
The council will hold the second public hearing and the first reading of the proposed data center moratorium Oct. 27.
The first public hearing was held Sept. 22. City Council is required to hold two public hearings before it can vote on passing the moratorium.
The earliest council members can vote on implementing a moratorium is at their Dec. 1 meeting. If the resolution passes, all new development and permitting for data centers in Denton city limits will be halted effective immediately, according to previous reporting.
