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Council approves GISD plan for data center, neighbors raise noise and safety concerns
Summary
Garland ISD won council approval to rezone a 7.5-acre site for a planned development accommodating a data center, warehouse and training facilities; nearby residents objected to building height, potential noise, water use and lack of outreach.
The Garland City Council on Aug. 5 approved a zoning change requested by Garland Independent School District to allow a planned development for a data center, warehouse, office/showroom and related indoor uses at 2302 Naiman School Road.
Staff recommended approval and noted the site is a 7.5-acre former PD with base zoning of single-family; the new planned-development text would allow neighborhood-services base zoning with a requested building-height deviation to 35 feet. Staff said GISD is exempt from certain zoning requirements but sought a PD to provide clarity for future permitting; the proposed two-story building would total about 37,000 square feet with three access points and an anticipated 91 employees.
Derek White of DIG Engineers represented GISD and said the facility would house district servers, offices and a warehouse for distributing technology and training functions. Judy Langford, who identified herself as representing GISD, clarified that the portion described as a "data center" is a hardened network operations center of roughly 7,000 square feet meant to support district IT and distribution of equipment, not an open public facility.
Neighbors raised concerns at public hearing. Josh Lamb, whose home abuts the site, called it a "commercial building" that he believed belonged in a commercial area and cited worry about potential water use, contamination and other impacts commonly associated with data centers. Nicole Lam, also an adjacent resident, opposed a 35-foot height and said lighting and noise from existing nearby developments already affect her property. Both speakers said they had attempted to contact GISD and received limited response.
Council discussion clarified that school-district facilities are often treated as educational uses under Texas case law and that, by right, GISD could proceed with some uses. Staff noted that the SF-7 base zoning currently allows a 35-foot height and that, in practical terms, GISD could construct a similar building even without the PD amendment; adopting the PD would bring the property into formal compliance and define permitted uses for the site going forward.
Councilmember Jeff Bass moved to approve the PD and concept plan; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Chris Beard and passed with Councilwoman Denton recorded in opposition. Staff and the applicant committed to do neighborhood outreach; GISD representatives told council they would schedule a community meeting and share additional detail before construction (applicant indicated construction could begin in about four months).
The project will require normal permitting steps, including building, electrical and MEP review, at which time technical questions about power, noise, and storm-hardening of the server area will be evaluated. Council's action approves the zoning text and concept plan but does not approve building permits or operational details.
