Fort Worth committee suggests 350-foot buffer for new data centers

Data centers in Fort Worth could be required to maintain a minimum distance of 350 feet from nearby homes, according to a new report released Tuesday. The recommendation comes from the Data Center & Infrastructure Commission, an 11-member advisory group that spent three months analyzing the impact of the tech hubs on the city. The group presented a 156-page report to city council members, outlining 19 specific recommendations across four key areas: water resources, land use, economic impact, and electricity.

Michael Slattery, environmental director at Texas Christian University and director of its Institute for Environmental Studies, led the presentation to the council. Slattery, who was appointed by the city to head the advisory body, described data center development as the most contested land-use issue in Fort Worth. He stated the commission’s goal was to base its findings on fact rather than advocacy. “Skepticism is healthy and it’s exactly why getting the science right in this commission absolutely mattered,” Slattery said.

The commission was formed in August after zoning commissioners rejected earlier proposed regulations. The city subsequently established the advisory group and initiated a 90-day moratorium on new projects, a process required by state law. Council members held the first public hearing on that moratorium during the same meeting where the report was unveiled. The group’s members included representatives from economic development, data center infrastructure, natural resource management, and environmental advocacy.

A central part of the report calls for a “zero-water” cooling solution for new facilities. This would require data centers to use nonevaporative, closed-loop technology, supplemented only by limited adiabatic cooling. The commission also recommended making water usage data publicly available and conducting utility reviews to protect local water supplies. These measures echo proposals made by city officials earlier this year.

On the electricity front, the report suggests requiring developers to provide a technical fact sheet. This document would need to include verifiable commitments to reduce strain on the local electric grid. Slattery noted that while the city has authority over land use, major power decisions are often made by state officials and power distributors. The recommendations are designed to work within the limits of local government power.

During the presentation, Slattery addressed the methodology behind the 350-foot setback. He explained that the committee analyzed distances in other cities and aimed for a standard that was both realistic and enforceable. When asked why the group chose this specific distance, Slattery acknowledged that while most residents would prefer data centers to be as far away as possible, a balance had to be struck. “We have to find something that is realistic, that is enforceable. I absolutely hear what you say,” Slattery told council member Chris Nettles.

Council member Jeanette Martinez expressed support for larger setbacks. “I foresee that people will probably make that request,” Martinez said regarding increased separation between properties. Slattery noted that the 350-foot figure was the point of greatest disagreement among commission members. He emphasized that any increase in the height of data centers and their infrastructure should trigger larger setbacks.

The report also proposes including thermal impacts and community feedback in Fort Worth’s 2050 comprehensive plan. Slattery explained that the commission decided against recommending specific zoning zones for data centers. He said developers wanted certainty and predictability, and the city could implement protective regulations without restricting the industry. “Whatever you folks come up with, we will work with,” Slattery quoted the developers as saying. The report arrives as Texas lawmakers prepare to debate data center regulations in the upcoming legislative session.