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Residents press Parker County court on water, noise, property values and emergency response
Summary
Dozens of residents told the commissioners June 9 that proposed data centers would threaten private wells, increase noise and light pollution, depress property values, and overwhelm local firefighting resources; petition and organizing efforts were reported.
More than 80 people attended the Parker County special meeting and many took two-minute turns at the microphone to press the court to block or strongly condition data-center development. Speakers consistently named groundwater availability, long-term property-value impacts, noise (including infrasound claims), light pollution, and emergency-response capability as primary concerns.
One resident described a fence-line location across from a proposed site and urged the court to consider the human and agricultural costs. Another speaker, Ryan Purcell, outlined recommended staffing and equipment for responses to a large industrial fire and said Parker County currently lacks the manpower and specialized hazmat capability needed for a major data-center incident. Several speakers reported local experiences of wells running dry after nearby construction or drilling and warned about perceived gaps in transparency around state permit issuance.
Many called for stronger county action, including stricter distribution lists for the adopted resolution, a public summary, evening meetings so more residents can attend, and pressure on state legislators and the governor to act. Petition organizers reported thousands of signatures in a short period. Commissioners acknowledged residents' concerns and pledged to continue work with legislators while also noting limits of county statutory authority.
