Temple council approves annexation and rezoning for proposed data center; several conditions deferred to second reading

The Temple City Council voted to approve a large annexation and a related rezoning request on first reading that would allow a planned data center to locate on roughly 702–706 acres southeast of Synergy Park.

City planning staff said the annexation and rezoning would be contiguous with city limits and include negotiated conditions; several technical items — including specific access points, noise-mitigation language and the final East Outer Loop alignment — were deferred to the second reading for further staff and applicant work.

Brian Chandler, city planning staff, told the council the annexation and rezoning followed statutory procedures and that staff had circulated the required municipal services agreement. "Return on investment's been calculated, and we are satisfied with that," Chandler said when asked how the city evaluated potential costs and benefits. Chandler also said water and sewer are not currently available to the site and that the applicant agreed to provide a traffic-impact analysis; staff described data centers as low traffic generators.

The property at issue was described by staff as about 702.06 acres for rezoning and about 706 acres in the annexation petition (the larger figure included a stretch of Bobwhite Road). Notices were sent to nearby property owners and affected agencies, including Temple ISD, Rogers ISD, Little River Academy Volunteer Fire Department and Bell County; staff reported one response in opposition from an adjacent property owner and no responses in favor.

Council and staff outlined eight conditions negotiated with the applicant. City staff said the council and applicant agreed the development should enter a utility services agreement to ensure any construction impacts to city infrastructure are repaired, that right-of-way would be dedicated if the East Outer Loop alignment crosses the property, and that a preliminary plat would not be required provided the full site is platted into five or fewer lots. Three items — (1) specific access locations on Bobwhite Road, (2) detailed noise-mitigation language, and (3) final language about the Outer Loop dedication — were identified for continued work before the second reading.

Alan Lytle, a resident who owns and operates a cemetery near the site, spoke during the public hearing and asked the council to ensure noise studies consider impacts on nearby properties and cemetery services. "I run a cemetery out there fairly close to this location... I don't know how much noise comes out of here or how far it travels," Lytle said, asking whether noise testing would reflect conditions at surrounding homes and sites.

Council members moved and seconded the motions to approve both the annexation and the rezoning on first reading; the council voted 5–0 on both items. Staff said additional conditions and detailed language will return to council at the second reading for final action.

If approved on second reading, the actions would change the city's boundaries and zoning for the site and allow the development review and permitting process to proceed under the planned development standards negotiated with the applicant.

Provenance: transcript segments include staff presentation and public hearing; topic introduced at transcript time 1844.345 and concluded with the first-reading vote at 2819.0898.