San Marcos council sets hearing, approves annexation service agreement amid water and transparency questions over proposed data center

The San Marcos City Council on Feb. 18 heard a staff presentation and public comment about a request to change the comprehensive-plan preferred‑scenario map from “conservation cluster” to “commercial employment low” for approximately 200 acres near Francis Harris Lane, a step required to allow light‑industrial zoning the applicant says would permit a data center.

John Mayberry, the property owner who said he is selling acreage to a data‑center buyer, told council the facility would use a closed‑loop water system and generate relatively low on‑site traffic, and that electricity would come from Pedernales Electric. “We are working with the data center buyer to answer the questions as they arise,” Mayberry said. He also said the project would not be affiliated with media‑reported companies that…