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San Angelo council advances data‑center zoning rules after weeks of public concern
Summary
The City Council approved first reading of a zoning ordinance to regulate data centers via a conditional‑use process, directing staff to return with numeric edits on noise limits, residential setbacks, stormwater recapture and fencing. The debate followed extensive public comment raising water, noise and transparency concerns about a proposed hyperscale site.
San Angelo City Council on May 8 approved first reading of a new zoning ordinance that would regulate data centers through a conditional‑use process in light‑ and heavy‑manufacturing districts, directing staff to return with specific numeric edits on noise thresholds, residential setbacks and water‑use provisions.
Planning and Development Director Karen Vannoy said the measure is intended to give the city control over where and how large data‑center campuses can develop. "This is an opportunity for our city to regulate data centers," Vannoy said, describing required site plans, traffic and sound studies, screening and landscaping standards, and a 200‑foot buffer from residential uses in the draft language.
Why it matters: hyperscale data centers can be very large, consume significant electricity and water, and generate continuous noise and low‑frequency hums that neighbors fear could affect quality of life. Several…
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