Red Oak residents push back against rezoning, data center

At a city council meeting in Red Oak Monday night, city leaders faced significant pushback from residents over proposed rezoning for a data center. City council chambers were filled beyond capacity before the meeting started.

Ahead of the meeting, a few dozen residents gathered in protest. Their concern is over nearly 830 acres of land along FM 2377.

That land is at the center of a zoning change request that would change the land’s designation from an Agricultural District to “Planned Development” for what’s being called a “high tech industrial park.”

Approval would clear the way for another data center in Red Oak.

Dozens of residents signed up for public comment with sharp criticism of a data center.

“We’re welcoming growth. We understand these data centers are needed. We don’t need them right next door. There is a responsible way of doing it, especially when you don’t know the long-term effects,” said Elliss County resident, Elda Villegas.

There have been arguments that tax revenue from a data center would be an economic benefit to the city.

City Manager Todd Fuller, during a presentation, made points for why a data center could work in Red Oak. He said this type of zoning project would allow the city to put more regulations in place for developers.

"Obviously they will provide a massive boost to the local economy and the tax base. It allows for better funded city services without increasing taxes for residents and without adding additional cost burdens to provide services for the data centers," said Fuller.

This comes as rural counties across North Texas are asking for more regulation when it comes to data centers in their communities.

According to state officials, some 400 data centers are planned across the state. That’s compared to just 40 data projects two years ago.

Somervell County recently asked the state to pause applications for new projects.

In Red Oak, public comment Monday night continued well beyond 10:00 p.m.

This is a developing story.