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Developer seeks 12‑foot fence around data‑center substation on private street; staff backs variance for security and screening
Summary
At 6300 Longhorn Drive a developer requested a variance to allow a 12‑foot fence (code limit 10 feet) around a new electrical substation serving adjacent data centers. Staff recommended approval, citing private street frontage and security needs; the applicant was delayed at an airport and asked commissioners to proceed or postpone.
City planning staff presented a special‑fence site plan request on June 2 for a substation at 6300 Longhorn Drive that would exceed the 10‑foot maximum fence height in front‑yard areas and instead reach 12 feet for screening and security.
The property is zoned SP2CO for commercial, office and data center uses. Staff said the substation will serve adjacent data centers and that Longhorn Drive was vacated to become a private street during replatting, a feature staff cited as a unique condition supporting the variance. Planning staff reviewed the special‑fence criteria in Chapter 15‑10 of the Land Development Code and concluded the request would not violate the chapter’s intent, would not adversely affect surrounding properties or public safety, and met the “special conditions” test.
Photos provided by the applicant illustrated the proposed wall design. Commissioners asked about the absent applicant; staff said the applicant had been delayed at an airport all day and had asked to postpone but that commissioners could act if they wished. Commissioners queried the security rationale: staff said the fence protects the public from hazard and the equipment from tampering and noted the extra height is requested for safety and to shield operations from view.
Staff recommended approval. No formal action was recorded at the work session. Commissioners did not appear to vote on the matter in the work session and indicated they could postpone action until the applicant could attend or designate a representative.
