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La Porte board clears 65‑foot height variance for proposed data‑center buildings in Thomas Rose Industrial Park
Summary
The board approved a variance to raise the maximum building height to 65 feet for five proposed industrial buildings on roughly 110 acres in the Thomas Rose Industrial Park, citing large setbacks and compatibility with existing tall structures in the park; public speakers raised concerns about visibility, utilities and property values.
The La Porte Board of Zoning Appeals voted Jan. 13 to allow five new industrial buildings on a roughly 110‑acre site in the Thomas Rose Industrial Park to exceed local height limits and reach 65 feet, a variance requested by Laporte 1 LLC.
Todd Leath, attorney for the petitioner, said the buildings are designed as two‑story data‑center structures and argued that taller buildings help consolidate computing capacity and limit overall land consumption. Leath said the project concept includes enhanced setbacks — as much as 400 feet in places — landscaping buffers and detention features to reduce visual impacts on adjoining properties. “If you say no to the height, the data center is a one‑story building and we have half the capacity on 110 acres,” Leath told the board.
Planning staff recommended approval (petition 26‑01), saying 65‑foot building heights are compatible with nearby existing structures in the industrial park and conform with the countywide land development plan. Speakers during public comment were split: Jerry Swarsman urged the board to reject the variance, saying industrial buildings would mar existing natural beauty; Bert Cook, executive director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, and Mayor Tom Germany urged support, noting the industrial park’s readiness for development and examples of existing tall buildings in the area.
Board member (Speaker 4) moved to approve the height variance and Board member (Speaker 3) seconded. The board voted in favor.
The approval is limited to the zoning height variance; engineering, utility capacity (electricity, water), stormwater and other technical reviews remain subject to later permitting and staff review. Petitioners said those details are preliminary and will be addressed through the city’s normal plan‑review process.
