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Irving council rejects rezoning of Calvary Church site after debate over data‑center potential
Summary
The Irving City Council voted 5-4 to deny a rezoning request that would have allowed industrial/data‑center uses at the former Calvary Church site at 4401 N. State Highway 161. Church leaders said the sale is needed to sustain ministries; developers said a data center or warehouse is the intended redevelopment.
The Irving City Council on Jan. 16 rejected a rezoning request for the Calvary Church property at 4401 North State Highway 161 after a lengthy public presentation and questions about data‑center power and siting.
Pastor Ben Daley, lead pastor of Calvary Church, told the council the congregation has served Irving since 1959 and that the sale of the church property is central to the congregation’s financial future and plans to relocate within Irving. “Calvary Church has been a steadfast presence in this community,” Daley said. He said delaying the sale would present “significant financial challenges” for the church.
Scott Ellerman of Constellation Real Estate Partners and Michael Carter of Go Commercial described the property’s logistical advantages for industrial or data‑center users: buried transmission lines on adjacent parcels and direct access to Highway 161. Constellation representative Scott Ellerman said the company had pursued data‑center viability with consultants and noted that a substation on site would likely be required to serve a large power user. “Encore emphasized the time commitment it takes to confirm the viability of power and the feasibility of power,” Ellerman said.
Council members raised concerns about the city’s ability to manage data‑center impacts and about timing. Councilman (unnamed in transcript) said the council is “right on the cusp of finalizing our ordinance on data centers,” and sought assurances about where transmission infrastructure would be placed. Ellerman said Constellation had not yet secured commitments from Encore regarding where any additional transmission or substation infrastructure would be routed.
Planning and Zoning had recommended denial of the rezoning; on the council floor a motion to approve failed 5‑4. The meeting record shows the motion for approval did not pass; no approval was recorded. Several council members said they preferred to follow the P&Z recommendation and to wait for clearer rules and power‑infrastructure assurances before approving industrial or data‑center zoning in that location.
Pastor Daley and other church representatives said they prefer to remain in Irving and that the congregation had secured an off‑site contract contingent on the council’s decision. Developers said their plan carried a two‑track approach: pursue data‑center approvals while retaining warehouse/industrial as a fallback if power approvals or operator commitments did not arrive in time.
With the 5‑4 failure to approve, the rezoning request remains unresolved. Developers and church leaders said they will consider next steps; council members indicated the forthcoming city data‑center ordinance and additional information from power providers will be relevant to any future application.
The council recorded the P&Z recommendation of denial and the council vote on Jan. 16.
