Red Oak council approves voluntary annexation, expands data-center zoning; hires police consultant and adopts censure resolution

The Red Oak City Council voted July 15 to annex roughly 207.556 acres into the city, amend planned-development zoning to accommodate a data‑center complex on the larger tract that includes the new acreage, authorize a one‑year consultant agreement to support interim police leadership, and adopt a resolution censuring a council member.

The annexation ordinance (No. 25-030) covers approximately 207.556 acres in the Andrew J. Porter survey in Ellis County; staff said the landowner requested voluntary annexation so the property can proceed to the zoning item that followed. The council opened and closed a public hearing with no speakers and approved the ordinance in a single vote, 5-0.

Council members then approved Ordinance No. 25-031, which amends the citys zoning map to add the newly annexed acreage into an existing planned development district for a proposed data center complex and related infrastructure. City staff said the amendment does not add new uses beyond those already permitted in the existing PD but incorporates the additional acreage so the same uses will be allowed across the combined property. The public hearing on the zoning item drew no public…