Council OKs planned development for data center with site plan requirement after neighborhood outreach

The City Council on Jan. 14 approved a planned‑development rezoning request to allow a data‑center campus on land abutting Forest Hill and Everman, following several community meetings and outreach to neighboring jurisdictions.

Applicant and project representatives told council they convened multiple briefings — including four community meetings, briefings with Forest Hill and Everman officials and contact with Everman ISD — and added buffer commitments such as an 80‑foot buffer yard and substantial building setbacks. Project representatives said a data‑center use would generate far fewer daily vehicle trips than alternative development types and presented letters of support from Everman ISD leaders.

Speakers representing the development team said the site’s current agricultural use generates low tax revenue and that full build‑out of a data‑center campus would produce substantially higher annual tax revenue and higher‑paying jobs. Council’s action included a site‑plan requirement; the motion to approve carried.

Why it matters: The decision trades a low‑value agricultural designation for a technology infrastructure use that proponents say brings economic development and job creation while minimizing traffic impacts compared with other potential uses. The project also required coordination with neighboring municipalities for roadway improvements and buffering.

Clarifying details: The applicant proposed an 80‑foot buffer, agreed to building setbacks leaving structures roughly 200 feet from Forest Hill residents, and removed a request to waive a site plan; the applicant committed to return with a site plan for council review. Project proponents estimated substantial tax revenue increases (from roughly $18,000 annually under current AG exemption to multi‑million‑dollar annual revenues at full build‑out) and cited average data‑center job wages around $75,000 per year.