Commissioners deadlock after contested vote on planned-development rezoning for proposed Forney data center

Planning staff opened the public hearing on a planned-development rezoning of 5.4 acres to allow a data center, describing proposed PD standards including a 60,000-square-foot cap and a maximum building height of 50 feet and noting the property has access by easement to FM 1641 and is currently vacant. "Data centers are only allowed in the light industrial district with approval of a conditional use permit," planning staff told the commission when reviewing the newly adopted regulations and the exception process for planned developments.