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Residents urge flood studies and stricter oversight as data‑center interest grows in Johnson County
Summary
Multiple residents told the commissioners court that proposed large data centers could increase runoff, threaten downstream properties and strain volunteer emergency services; the court reiterated existing floodplain rules but said state law limits local permitting authority.
Dozens of Johnson County residents used the public‑comment period at the June 8 commissioners court to press elected officials to require flood and environmental studies before allowing large data‑center construction.
"There's approximately 500 acres. They will be concreting approximately 250 acres of it," said Glenn Koster, a long‑time Cleburne resident, who described family land adjacent to a proposed site and presented his own runoff calculations. "I calculated water coming off the concrete roof... approximately 1,300,000 gallons of water going down the stream." Koster urged the court to require a study to protect downstream property owners.
Other speakers raised complementary concerns. Bobby Sewell, citing 35 years with the Fort Worth Fire Department, questioned who would staff fire and EMS responses to a large data‑center incident and whether local volunteer departments could respond to electrical or battery fires. Eddie Norton, a retired firefighter living adjacent to the 200‑acre parcel, said his home was built to stricter base‑elevation survey requirements and asked that data centers be held to the same standards: "I'm asking you to research, talk to other counties, find out what regulations you can put in place."
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns while noting limitations. The County Judge and Commissioner Bailey said Johnson County enforces its floodplain regulations and that staff will require studies where the county has authority, but they also warned that state law constrains permitting on some large projects. Commissioner Bailey urged organized citizen outreach to state lawmakers and the governor to seek broader authority.
Why it matters: residents who live downstream say their homes and small agricultural businesses could face new or amplified flood risk, and local emergency responders may need additional resources if large, industrial‑scale facilities locate nearby. The court encouraged citizens to use the resolution language posted on the county website when contacting state representatives and said staff would continue to examine regulatory options and coordinate with state groups.
