Fort Worth is addressing concerns over data centers in nearby neighborhoods. Members of the community spoke out about how it affects their quality of life.

Background

Currently, Fort Worth does not have specific regulations for the construction of data centers within city limits. They follow industrial development standards. City leaders are looking to change that. A zoning commission meeting was held to take a big step forward in that direction.

Fort Worth already has four operational data centers. There are another five that are planned or already under construction. The data centers have generated more than $83 million in property taxes for Fort Worth over the past five years.

Proposed Changes

In response to the feedback, city staff will make recommendations, including that buildings are set back 250 feet from residential areas, all standby generators are 350 feet from residential areas and fully screened, rooftop cooling equipment is behind an acoustic barrier 1.5 times the height of the equipment, and there is a landscape buffering yard of 50 feet with a screening fence along all residential areas.

The city is also proposing a zoning agreement that would prohibit cryptocurrency mining as a primary use. However, the city cannot regulate energy use, water planning, air quality control, or any state tax exemptions and incentives. Only the state has the authority to regulate those things.

The Fort Worth City Council will have a work session on Aug. 4 to discuss the proposed amendments. The council could vote on the final changes during the Aug. 11 meeting.

Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.