San Antonio city council is moving toward lasting regulation of data‑center development rather than a temporary pause. At a Tuesday meeting, council members heard staff recommendations to embed restrictions in the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC), a move that would create permanent, enforceable standards.
Why the council is favoring code changes
Development Services Director Amin Tohmaz explained that a building‑permit moratorium would only last 90 to 180 days, would not halt projects already under way, and would take months to implement. “It’s a patch,” he said. “Compared to the UDC, if we put some restrictions in the UDC, those are permanent. Those are in our code, and we can control where they’re going to develop the data centers.”
Staff have already held stakeholder meetings to discuss possible code amendments, including limiting data centers to designated commercial or industrial zones, requiring a minimum 500‑foot setback from homes and schools, and prohibiting construction over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zones. The proposed changes could be ready for a council vote by mid‑October.
Council opinions vary on a moratorium
While several council members voiced support for the UDC updates, opinions on a moratorium were split. Councilman Jalen McKee‑Rodriguez (District 2) advocated for a pause, calling it a “clear and present moral obligation.” Councilwoman Sukh Kaur (District 1) asked for more data before deciding, and Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said she wanted to see how far the UDC could go first. Councilwoman Misty Spears (District 9) opposed a moratorium, warning it could send a “concerning message” to investors and jeopardize good‑paying jobs.
Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez noted interest in moving forward with the UDC changes but did not confirm whether the moratorium idea was dead. She said council members had requested additional information and might address remaining questions at a future committee meeting.
Councilman Ric Galvan’s vision for transparency
Councilman Ric Galvan (District 6) has been a leading voice on both sides of the debate. He clarified that his goal is not to block all future data centers but to require council approval for each new project and to ensure transparent community meetings with neighbors. “Every single data center that’s built in our city should have transparent community meetings with the neighbors around them,” Galvan said. He added that if developers can address community concerns, the projects could move forward; otherwise, they should not proceed.
State context and upcoming legislation
The local discussion mirrors a broader state conversation. Earlier this month, Governor Greg Abbott announced a statewide moratorium on new data‑center approvals until regulatory agencies can audit proposed facilities seeking connection to the electric grid. Abbott criticized tech companies for failing to secure local support, saying they “dug their own grave.” City staff expect significant state legislation on the issue in the next legislative session, which opens in January, with bill pre‑filing beginning in November.
San Antonio’s deliberations illustrate the tension between attracting high‑tech investment and protecting community resources such as water, power and quality of life. As the council prepares to vote on the UDC amendments, residents can expect a clearer framework that balances economic opportunity with responsible development.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
