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Temple council approves agreements to acquire land for data centers and potential landfill expansion
Summary
Council approved three agreements with Rowan affiliates to assign a purchase contract for about 147.47 acres at roughly $15.3 million and two development agreements for data‑center projects (Project Temple and Project Stampede); staff said the tract could extend landfill life by up to 50 years and will be evaluated through feasibility and utility agreements.
The Temple City Council on Nov. 20 approved a set of agreements with Rowan Temple LLC and Rowan Terra LLC that commit the city to a feasibility period for acquiring a roughly 147.47‑acre tract adjacent to the Temple Landfill and to development agreements associated with two large data‑center proposals.
City staff summarized three related actions: (a) acceptance of an assignment of a purchase agreement and escrow for the tract for a purchase price of approximately $15,300,000, (b) a development agreement for "Project Temple," a roughly 554‑acre site near Bob White and Lorraine Avenue, and (c) a development agreement for "Project Stampede," a roughly 270‑acre site near Loop 363 and Lorraine Avenue. Staff said Rowan would deliver existing studies and preliminary engineering materials to the city and that the city would assume the purchase agreement and existing earnest‑money deposit (just under $450,000 already paid).
Staff described the rationale: the tract under contract lies adjacent to the Temple Landfill and would provide options for an expanded landfill footprint; city staff said the current landfill footprint has about 23 years of life remaining and this tract could provide up to an additional 50 years depending on operations. The proposed development agreements also establish phased permitting and allow temporary certificates of occupancy as buildings or spaces are completed.
Council approved item 8a (assignment/purchase agreement) and the two development agreements (items 8b and 8c) in separate motions; each item passed on the Nov. 20 vote 5–0. Staff said a separate utility‑services agreement governing water and wastewater will be required and that tax abatement and other negotiated elements are tied to previously approved conditions.
The agreements authorize the city to move into a feasibility and evaluation period, assume deposited earnest money and use transferred studies to inform planning. Next steps identified by staff include the feasibility period through June 2, 2026, drafting and approving a utility services agreement and continuing landfill master‑planning work.
