[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6542222,"mediaKeyId","3657044-9ba1495e245e6741e8424a21c9bb4473","parentId",3657044,"title","Data center proposals draw hundreds to San Marcos meeting as residents press council on water, noise and cemeteries","audioSeconds",4372,"startMs",3442000,"endMs",7814000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3657044-9ba1495e245e6741e8424a21c9bb4473&start=3442&end=7814","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3657044-9ba1495e245e6741e8424a21c9bb4473/thumbnail_3442000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6542222/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/Data-center-proposals-draw-hundreds-to-San-Marcos-meeting-as-residents-press-council-on-water-noise-and-cemeteries","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542222-47f94304d9d9a838e342638d6f09fc0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078797&Signature=ZYVDF26XQPEtczNxmCvWsWCDTHANR5et5~Pw1hTnEljryZc~SJk2i33AkFc8EKOueB~6uGYA03TsUXasABF32PidSp~KwYF3RyRXT5J3clwV8IKapwUUIc4-Sv9OqVXngWGC~ALSD9B2KXIYqw9rxBSue7uTabQtDiVJQVAyFnzHR2q36Q3m2WkyYOk58TvDHltQHgawz5iiOSWcY0L6ke0pDsBgS7tcS7YIikwOlxgDO8xhz5Wgo9k-BPi3wUXSrcDHx9ZXEw-5-HUoXoF1540TOwy7fn50zuM0eR1Z557pFFa5o~KUFYegETUQ83JbYre0Gz-UPCzvjyxj9qDRPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Marcos","date","2025-06-03T18:01:00Z","article","Hundreds of residents and property owners filled the public‑comment period of the June 3 San Marcos City Council meeting to oppose or support several proposed data centers and related land‑use changes near the city’s southern edge.

The largest proposal on the council’s agenda was from Carson Select Investments and a data‑center operator identified as Sabey Data Centers in public comments, which seeks to annex roughly 785.66 acres southwest of South Old Bastrop Highway and Centerpoint Road and change part of the city’s preferred‑scenario map from “conservation cluster” to “commercial employment‑low.” The council held the required public hearing but took no final zoning action that night.

Opponents focused on water use and environmental impacts. “We are currently in a stage 5 drought,” said Sol Huerta, a San Marcos resident, adding that water demands of multiple data centers would worsen drought stress and harm wildlife. Biologists, river stewards, and neighbors said the San Marcos River and its endemic species are at risk from intensive industrial water and energy use.

Neighboring residents and cultural‑heritage speakers pressed the council about a small family cemetery within one of the proposed tracts. “Putting a high‑decibel data center on that property denies your constituents access to a quiet moment with their loved ones,” said Vicky Vargas, who said the site contains burial plots. The applicant told the council their draft restrictive covenants would preserve access and protect the cemetery.

Developers and some business groups urged a city‑level approach rather than county development. John David Carson, the landowner, told the council his property is already zoned for dense housing and argued a data center would use substantially less water than a 500‑home subdivision. “We are reducing our water consumption by more than half compared with the previously approved residential plan,” Carson said and described “closed loop” cooling and proposed restrictive covenants limiting water use and impervious cover.

Paige Michelle, representing the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, asked the council to vet the developer’s covenants and consider sending the item back to the Planning & Zoning Commission for additional review. The Planning & Zoning Commission had earlier recommended denial; commissioners listed water and noise concerns in their report.

Council action on related items: the council authorized staff to begin negotiations on a development agreement with Carson Select Investments and appointed a council committee to review those negotiations. The council also scheduled a second public‑hearing packet for July 1 that will include preferred‑scenario amendment, annexation and zoning requests so council members and the public can review any proposed restrictive covenants and other conditions prior to the council’s decision.

Ending — The council did not approve a zoning change on June 3; it directed staff to continue negotiations and set a July 1 hearing that could include restrictive covenants and other conditions. Residents and environmental groups said they will continue to press the council to prioritize the river and local water security in future votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Marcos - City Council on 2025-06-03 6:00 PM - 630 E. Hopkins St. This will be an in-person and online meeting. To view the meeting please go to http://sanmarcostx.gov/421/City-Council-Videos-Archives or watch on Grande channel 16 or Spectrum channel 10. - Jun 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of residents and dozens more speakers addressed the City Council on June 3 as several data‑center proposals and a preferred‑scenario map amendment drew sustained opposition over water, noise and an on‑site cemetery.","taxTitle","San Marcos City, Hays County, Texas","taxId",9292,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542226,"San Marcos council declines expansion of Flock license-plate cameras after hours of public comment",6554,253000,6807000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3657044-9ba1495e245e6741e8424a21c9bb4473&start=253&end=6807","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3657044-9ba1495e245e6741e8424a21c9bb4473/thumbnail_253000.jpg","/articles/6542226/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/San-Marcos-council-declines-expansion-of-Flock-license-plate-cameras-after-hours-of-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542226-a2751d2b92ebea849ecd78e29608bcef/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078797&Signature=Hmx1v89EyLc0FwsA4J9~5yML~FviF4HYfVWtbn3lFSK4VHJDQwfQEjOx5VxIPZE6lyshmQ~tj-IurdHkNgiVLf2mE-~3AgfxV~2UMLExE0oIkKf~RZpihhc7KHxW3t3cwQvyeZVEruWxamhspVGUTuHm5raSLdg0vVzwR9~LpCXqsrB6MxujlOv909Snm70E2sx2X9T5DOyaAW2CURfiJQzz1mzStOOvY87V43zNsV1BG80SBb8UBPsc9WIRhS8-9DANAGCcusHeuMfw3ZY3Wj6LqgcrVsPtdYbKV0IbeNsXAviOeT7SZKI2GpVvIYNzQYWc5iDcdmFOhmjn4YKeqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Marcos City Council voted 5-2 on June 3 to deny Resolution 2025-18R, a proposed amendment to the city’s contract with Flock, Inc., that would have added 19 automated license-plate readers and extended data-retention provisions.

Supporters said the cameras help solve serious crimes. “I am for additional flock cameras and I am for keeping license plate data safe for the industry standard of 30 days,” said Cindy Laird, a San Marcos homeowner, during the meeting’s long public-comment period. Other supporters told the council the devices had helped police locate murder suspects and recover missing persons.

Opponents said the networked cameras threaten civil liberties and could be used by federal agencies or other third parties. “Mass surveillance does not make us safer,” said Sam Benavides, who urged the council to reject the expansion. Other speakers raised concerns that outside agencies — including federal immigration authorities — could obtain data stored in Flock’s system even if the local police decline to share.

Council members asked detailed questions about how Flock’s network operates, how alerts are shared, and whether third-party hosts or cloud providers retain copies of images. Officials and a Flock representative explained that the city pays for hosting via Flock’s portal (hosted on commercial cloud services) and that the city’s policy sets a 30‑day rolling retention; they also said some anonymized, aggregated snippets may be used by the vendor to improve its product.

But multiple council members said those responses did not resolve their concerns about the networked nature of the system, the possibility of access by other jurisdictions or federal agencies, and the limits of local control. “It does not matter what internal policies we have in place when it comes to a subpoena by the feds,” Council Member Amanda Rodriguez told colleagues during debate.

The motion to deny was made during the meeting’s consent‑item debate and was approved by a 5‑2 roll call. The council also directed staff to keep open channels for future policy review and to return any vendor contract documents already requested by council members, including audit records and the proposed memorandum of understanding.

Council members and staff said they expect a continued public discussion; speakers on both sides urged the council to pair public-safety investments with transparency measures and to secure independent audits before changing retention or network rules.

Ending — The denial halts the immediate purchase and installation of 19 additional Flock cameras and keeps the city’s retention and sharing practices unchanged for now. The city manager’s office and the police department will continue to engage with the public and return with additional documents and clarified contract language as requested by council members.","The City Council voted 5-2 to deny a proposed contract amendment to add 19 Flock license-plate readers and extend data-retention terms, after public testimony both for and against the cameras and questions about data access and civil liberties.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542212,"San Marcos staff outline five‑year sidewalk maintenance plan; council OKs FY26 projects",332,6110000,6442000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3657044-9ba1495e245e6741e8424a21c9bb4473&start=6110&end=6442","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3657044-9ba1495e245e6741e8424a21c9bb4473/thumbnail_6110000.jpg","/articles/6542212/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/San-Marcos-staff-outline-fiveyear-sidewalk-maintenance-plan-council-OKs-FY26-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542212-68fa808653d78d6fcd65b5dd0fc20436/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078797&Signature=LVha8ewFceiduJaudRg37bCvNp0ucf824UEYuFqLn9cwOOI0BdtZLSEEBYaYIFI~lc-xT60sIvPefswsUFr~G7QaWoxYP7MgM9kKANAA51ulYL2ZPdZ5eAUbht3NA4AxB9QS~MeDtAJHLC3l8DmPV-D9Yg19roLSZ7Xax7aB85Bc~aztjHO4bNe863ezlG7rDgKvT~COuh16abppcJq7kOX4jBUSLWnV-~vgReSbe7CpXulsfocUvUzwyFfzfswzebKQIjxCDakYvwVos-MK8dvYO9I65ZmBJFHaE06VfLIVTBBBkrrbnLFzRTYP2kjFhcA8Eqo69qZz3tXXtr1UDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works staff presented the city’s five‑year sidewalk maintenance program and the proposed FY26 work list during the June 3 meeting. The program focuses on ADA compliance, connectivity around bus stops and low‑vehicle‑ownership areas, and repairs in neighborhoods with higher pedestrian‑involved accidents.

Adam Rossing, director of public works, said staff inspected roughly 202 miles of sidewalks earlier this year and prioritized “poor” and “fair” sections for repair. The FY26 list (published on a public web map) targets gaps including Barber Drive, San Antonio Street and the Millview and Blanco Gardens neighborhoods.

Rossing told council crews will use wet saws with water injection to cut concrete panels to reduce dust. Staff said outreach will include 90‑day mailed notices to properties adjacent to work and hand‑delivered flyers two weeks before crews begin in each neighborhood.

Council members asked about mitigation for possible dust and the project’s public‑outreach steps; several thanked staff for the web map and neighborhood mailers. Staff said projects are planned to be funded from the operating budget (maintenance program funds) and designed to proceed without right‑of‑way acquisitions.

Ending — Staff will proceed with the FY26 sidewalk maintenance program, advance design and outreach, and begin construction as scheduled in October, subject to council direction and any neighborhood requests.
","Public works staff reviewed a FY26 sidewalk maintenance program focused on ADA repairs, filling connectivity gaps in underserved neighborhoods, and avoiding tree removal. Council asked clarifying questions about dust suppression and public outreach and staff will send 90‑day and two‑week notices before construction.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542217,"City outlines CDBG priorities; council hears public input and supports recommended allocations",930,6763000,7693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3657044-9ba1495e245e6741e8424a21c9bb4473&start=6763&end=7693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3657044-9ba1495e245e6741e8424a21c9bb4473/thumbnail_6763000.jpg","/articles/6542217/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/City-outlines-CDBG-priorities-council-hears-public-input-and-supports-recommended-allocations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542217-9a4488a2ab13b581eaa6ffbbec8f0270/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078797&Signature=JovZdyl~sPIPCPQcz0pGoDbZVsGeU-UkmtUjfebDNob5Ddjc---dHpq4syXfozR7NcYC0F5ALNCVAEqkj0wl0AXhdv-80UG9LwFqw8WYdVDhPZe0nH65gidE7GOGk24Em-LRvp~i0pRbtuwe6YSmB72nRBpM-cCCWIoUPH0Kn-JgH5NoTay8IizegbM0RQ~k3AcCjtmMHShLH2BPUcWF-9gF1V-4QzW719IN~fqghNNpI-Xi8i5nvhwfz18K~~lnXPxiiwYuI1Ff-tUWk5QT1k1D7lwjvgyG8p7dRRhmLFekobV0EWjdBUhhU~i9OWa0vwYGiy2Dzw94-2EC6yZnkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented the draft 2025‑30 consolidated plan for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (CDBG) and the 2025‑26 annual action plan at the June 3 meeting.

Carol Griffith, housing and community development manager, told the council HUD requires the city to identify its highest priorities and to publish an annual action plan for use of the entitlement funds. The council previously set “affordable housing” and “public services” as the plan’s highest priorities.

The staff‑review committee recommended funding a set of public‑service contracts (including CASA, Hays‑Caldwell Women’s Center, Greater San Marcos Youth Council, St. Vincent De Paul and others) and recommended allocations for key public‑facilities projects, including completion funding for the Thorpe Lane sidewalks project and a contingent allocation for the Mitchell Center renovation tied to a minimum public‑benefit threshold.

The draft annual action plan proposed $754,405 in CDBG funding for the October 2025–September 2026 program year, with HUD limits of 15% for public services and 20% for administration. Staff recommended the amounts that would meet HUD eligibility rules and reflect local priorities: emergency assistance, senior and youth programs, home‑repair/rehab, and facility improvements serving low‑income neighborhoods.

At the public hearing, Ryan Perkins, speaking on behalf of the Calaboose African American History Museum, urged council support for the Mitchell Center renovation and confirmed a preservation plan under way. After the hearing, council accepted staff’s recommendation to publish the draft action plan for the required 30‑day public comment period and to return on the first August meeting with any public comments and a final action plan for adoption.

Ending — The city will post the draft action plan for 30 days and return to council in August with comments for final approval before submission to HUD.","City staff presented the draft five‑year CDBG consolidated plan and recommended projects for the 2025‑26 action plan, focusing on affordable housing, public services and public facilities; council held a public hearing and directed staff to post the draft for the required 30‑day comment period.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Data center proposals draw hundreds to San Marcos meeting as residents press council on water, noise and cemeteries

San Marcos council declines expansion of Flock license-plate cameras after hours of public comment

San Marcos staff outline five‑year sidewalk maintenance plan; council OKs FY26 projects

City outlines CDBG priorities; council hears public input and supports recommended allocations