Grayson County considers special-use framework for modern data centers

Grayson County supervisors and the planning commission moved Tuesday to begin drafting zoning and permitting rules tailored to modern data centers after a staff presentation found the county's industrial zoning code (adopted in the early 2000s) does not define today's high-energy facilities.

Mr. Bor, a county employee who said he is tasked with balancing future budgets, framed the conversation by stressing tight county finances and limited revenue options. He told the room that the county "cannot issue a moratorium on data centers" and that zoning is the principal tool to control prospective development. Consultant Michael, who is under contract with the county to advise on land-use policy, told the board that "the high energy use facility is generally a facility that the applicant reasonably anticipates will require over 100 megawatts or more of electricity from the retail electric utility," underscoring why modern data centers can differ fundamentally from earlier data-processing uses.

The presentation noted there are 13 industrially zoned parcels countywide and only two vacant parcels with public water capacity at the Independence industrial park, limiting immediately available sites for large digital campuses. Staff and the consultant recommended removing principal digital data centers from unrestricted "by right" allowances and instead establishing clear definitions (distinguishing accessory server rooms, call centers, and principal digital data centers), size or megawatt thresholds, and a special-use permit process requiring disclosure of electrical and water impacts.

Board members asked staff to prepare a short policy addendum and a regulatory framework that would set the county's definitions and application requirements, so future proposals can be evaluated transparently. The board did not take any binding zoning action at the meeting; it directed staff to draft options for the planning commission and board to consider.