Fort Worth Proposes New Standards on Data Center Development

The City of Fort Worth is working on a new proposal that would establish standards for data center development in city limits.

The city published a blog post with details after the proposal was introduced on Tuesday.

According to the post, the recommendations are designed to use tools under the city's regulatory authority to protect nearby neighborhoods and resources while ensuring it can responsibly manage growth, maintain oversight, and capture economic benefits.

Staff outlined the proposal during a City Council work session. The briefing covered proposed changes to zoning rules, noise regulations, water utility requirements, and economic development incentives.

Data centers already operate in Fort Worth and have been for more than 20 years. And the city is currently home to four data center developments spanning 10 different buildings across council districts 5 and 10. That's a blueprint of 3 million square feet.

Currently, data centers operate under the same development standards as other industrial uses. The proposed zoning amendments would create data center-specific development standards, including:

• A 250-foot setback between data center facilities and any residential districts
• A 50-foot landscape buffer and screening fence along any property line adjacent to residential uses
• Standby generators prohibited within 300 feet of residential areas
• Lighting fixtures within 150 feet of a residential use would be required to produce zero foot-candles on the sides adjacent to homes with a maximum fixture height of 20 feet
• Rooftop cooling equipment would need to be placed behind acoustic barriers that are 1.5 times the height of the equipment
• A continuous row of evergreen trees along the site perimeter would be required where property adjoins residential

The proposal also includes noise regulations. Under the proposal, data centers within 250 feet of a residential use would need to complete a 72-hour, pre-development ambient noise study.

Protecting water resources is another priority under the proposal. The new language would require all new data centers to use closed-loop cooling systems that circulate water inside the facility rather than continuously drawing it in for cooling operations.

Additionally, the proposal would take property tax revenue into consideration and update the criteria for public economic development incentives.

The city plans to hold a town hall to educate residents and gather public feedback on the proposed regulations in late June. A feedback form is also available to submit online. The Zoning Commission will take action on the proposed amendments on July 8.

City Council action on the full package, including zoning, noise, water, and economic development policy amendments, is scheduled for Aug. 11.