Commissioners approve SAO addendum to address data centers

The Cameron County Board of Commissioners unanimously enacted an addendum to the county's SAO intended to incorporate standards for data centers, a move county leaders described as a proactive tool to protect local resources while remaining within legal limits.

A commissioner who reported the outcome said the addendum "gives us some teeth" and stressed the county can modify the addendum later. The commissioner noted that any application submitted before enactment would be grandfathered and that the planning commission will review future development plans with public comment opportunities.

County officials emphasized the action was precautionary: "There are no active data center projects in the horizon," the commissioner said, adding that the planning commission will handle any development review and that those meetings are public. The board said the addendum emerged from five months of work with the solicitor, the conservation district, the zoning board, the planning commission and the IDA.

The enactment does not itself approve any construction or permits; commissioners said the planning commission must still review any future applications and that residents will have opportunities to comment during those reviews.