During a Monday work session, Caddo Parish commissioners voted unanimously to send two data‑center proposals to the Special Projects Committee rather than advance them to the Thursday agenda. The move came after strong public opposition and legal warnings that a proposed two‑year moratorium could not be enacted through a resolution.
Proposals and voting record
Commissioner John‑Paul Young sought to move Resolutions 52 and 53 forward. Resolution 53, his own proposal, would impose a two‑year moratorium on new data‑center developments, expansions, and tax incentives in unincorporated Caddo Parish. Resolution 52, introduced by Commissioner Ken Epperson, calls for environmental impact studies related to data‑center development. Both measures failed to reach the Thursday meeting, losing 8‑3, and were instead sent to the committee by an 11‑0 vote.
Legal counsel warns of charter limits
Parish attorney Donna Frazier reminded commissioners that a resolution does not have the force of law and cannot create a moratorium. Citing the parish charter and the Louisiana Constitution, Frazier explained that imposing a land‑use restriction without a master plan or zoning ordinance would be unlawful. She suggested that developing a master plan could eventually allow a temporary moratorium while the planning process is underway.
Transparency and community concerns
Residents voiced frustration over a lack of information. Young, who previously voted for the parish’s payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILOT) framework for data centers, acknowledged the communication gap. “We’ve heard from many citizens,” he said, adding that they were “unanimous in their support for these resolutions.” He expressed regret for past shortcomings and pledged to correct the process.
Commissioner Chris Krackman emphasized that the issue is not about being for or against data centers but about transparency. He highlighted the impact on families living near the proposed State Line Road project, noting that longtime residents, such as the Bison family, have been awakened by construction noise at 3:55 a.m. “They are pissed, and they should be,” Krackman said.
Commissioner Epperson echoed the transparency theme, recalling a recent visit to a data‑center project in Boyce, Rapides Parish. He contrasted the clear communication there with Caddo’s experience, stating, “Transparency drives trust. That’s why we are here today, because initially we weren’t transparent.”
Economic development arguments
Commission President Greg Young defended the incentive agreement, saying he wants the region known as open for business. He likened the trade‑offs of development to residents living near railroads and the community’s support for Barksdale Air Force Base. “All of us have to make sacrifices when it comes to progress,” Young said, adding that the parish must balance economic benefits with potential environmental and health impacts.
Next steps
The committee will now consider how much authority Caddo Parish has to restrict future data‑center development and what level of public assistance is appropriate. Legal counsel maintains that any moratorium would require proper zoning authority or a master plan, and that the parish cannot bind future commissions from revisiting incentives.
As the debate continues, the parish faces two intertwined questions: the legal limits of land‑use regulation and the community’s demand for honest, transparent decision‑making.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
