Denton City Council met on Oct. 27 for the second and final public hearing on a proposed moratorium that would temporarily pause new commercial data‑center applications. The meeting, part of the city’s statutory process, also featured the first reading of the ordinance text.
Why the moratorium is being considered
City officials cited three core reasons for the temporary hold, all grounded in state law:
- Public water and sewer systems are operating at or near capacity.
- The electric grid faces transmission limits that could be strained by high‑demand data‑center loads.
- Existing land‑development codes need clearer standards specific to data‑center projects.
These concerns prompted the council to adopt amendments to the Denton Development Code on Oct. 13. The moratorium would give staff additional time to draft precise enforcement parameters before any new applications are accepted.
Details of the proposed hold
If approved by a supermajority vote—defined as 75 percent of council members—the ordinance would impose a 90‑day pause on new commercial data‑center development applications. The measure does not affect applications already in process; the two previously approved hyperscale projects, Qumulus AI and Core Scientific, would continue under existing approvals.
Mayor Pro Tem Nick Stevens praised the community’s involvement, saying, “I really do thank you all for spending time here on a Tuesday night. You didn’t have to do this, but you wanted to. And it speaks a lot about our great residents.” Council Member George Ferrie suggested extending the moratorium to the maximum 180 days, allowing the city to monitor potential litigation in other Texas municipalities that have enacted data‑center bans. A separate vote would be required to lengthen the hold.
Next steps
The council could vote on adopting the moratorium as early as Dec. 1. Should the ordinance pass, it would apply within Denton city limits, Denton Municipal Electric’s service territory, and the city’s water and sewer service area.
Earlier, on Aug. 18, the council unanimously approved beginning the legal process for a moratorium, and a first public hearing was held on Sept. 22. The Oct. 27 session marked the final required hearing before the council can move forward with a vote.
Community impact
Residents expressed a range of views during the hearing, reflecting the community’s deep interest in balancing economic development with reliable utilities and responsible land use. Council members emphasized that a measured approach helps avoid costly litigation and protects taxpayers from unforeseen expenses.
By taking a cautious, data‑driven stance, Denton aims to ensure that any future data‑center growth aligns with the city’s capacity and long‑term planning goals.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Denton — read the source article.
