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