EdgeConneX, which is being built in Bastrop County, is one of many data centers under construction in Texas. (Xorin Aeronautics/Community Impact)
New Braunfels is considering updating its code of ordinances to make it more difficult for data centers to be built in the city.
New Braunfels City Council directed city staff to draft a code amendment regulating data centers during a regular Aug. 24 meeting. Christopher Looney, director of the neighborhood and community planning department, briefed council members on the potential update during a special Oct. 19 council meeting.
Why now?
Chapter 144 of the city’s code does not define data centers, nor does it identify a zoning district where data center land use is explicitly allowed. This means a data center could be allowed in M-2 and M-2A industrial zoning districts. Data centers could also be allowed with a special use permit, or SUP, in the M-1 and M-1A zoning districts, according to Oct. 19 special city council meeting agenda documents.
A data center could be allowed in the M-2 and M-2A industrial zoning districts. They could also be allowed with a special use permit, or SUP, in the M-1 and M-1A zoning districts.Source: City of New Braunfels
Zooming in
City staff is recommending updating the city’s code to include a definition of what a data center is and requiring the property to have a base industrial zoning district and a Type 2 SUP. This would allow the council to evaluate the site in relation to surrounding land uses and infrastructure, hear public input and receive input from property owners within 200 feet, according to agenda documents.
“We suggest that data centers at least have to have a 500-foot setback from residential or other sensitive uses such as nursing homes, parks and schools,” Looney said.
City staff is also recommending a series of development standards in the proposed code changes if the council ever decides to approve a data center, which include:
A noise study
An approved traffic impact analysis
Detailed site plan and building elevations
Maximum decibel level of 55
Evaporative or closed-loop cooling systems
No development in the floodway, 100-year floodplain or over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone or contributing zones
Mayor Michael French said he does not want any water or electricity from New Braunfels to supply data centers. French also said data centers should operate in the dark.
“I don’t think there should be any light pollution at all. These guys should work in the dark,” French said.
District 4 council member Lawrence Spradley said SUPs come before council for approval.
"At that time, if you have a thought on your mind about light discipline or noise or vibrations, you have the ability sitting on City Council to say 'no,'" Spradley said. "So SUP, to me, is the key."
Zooming out
There are currently no data centers being constructed in the New Braunfels city limits. However, there are two data centers—Cloudburst and Palomino Alpha—being constructed nearby in Guadalupe County. In July, the Data Center Action Coalition and local residents filed a lawsuit against the Guadalupe County Commissioners Court to stop the development of both data centers.
