Medina County Auditor Eduardo Lopez is stepping down effective May 3 to pursue other career interests. Former assistant auditor Rubi Gaucin, currently serving as county human resources director, is taking Lopez’ place. The county is recruiting a new HR director.
By Anton Riecher
Medina County commissioners approved an application by Rowan Digital Infrastructure to consolidate the 440-acre site for a proposed hyperscaler data center near Lytle into a single parcel as the basis for future subdivision.
On a motion by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch, seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Lawler, the commissioners voted 4-0 to create Rowan Cinco subdivision on Texas 132 and County Road 6712.
Also on a motion by Lynch, seconded by Lawler, the court voted 4-0 to approve a preliminary commercial development site plan creating Rowan Project Cinco.
According to Rowan representative Dave Trevor, the lot consolidation is the first step in the preliminary development plan needed to move forward with the project. Subsequent subdivision of the property included an eight-acre parcel deeded to Texas AEP as the site of an electrical substation.
The site development plan includes preliminary drawings for the data center structure and an accompanying office building.
Trevor made reference to a recent open house conducted at Lytle High School to familiarize the community with the project.
“One of the reasons we wanted to do that is to show that, one, we are listening to the community and that we want to take in feedback and incorporate that into our development but also demonstrate that we have the pulse of what is important to the community. Our design incorporates that feedback.”
During the public comments portion that opened the Monday agenda, Lytle resident Cliff Garrison posed a question about Project Cinco.
“My visit today is to simply ask whether or not Rowan is aware of the lignite coal mining operations that occurred during the late 1880s through 1920s?” Garrision said. “If so, can Rowan produce or share its certified geotechnical survey?”
Garrison said he was concerned that vibration from the hyperscaler project might collapse the long abandoned underground tunnels from mining. He made reference to recent problems in New Jersey from similar projects.
“Unfortunately, maps of the area are almost impossible to find,” he said. “However, a 1913 Medina Valley irrigation map filed in Hondo in 1914 does show the general areas where Coal Mine of Lytle conducted operations for a number of companies.”
Commissioner Lynch passed a printed copy of Garrison’s presentation to the Rowan representatives…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING AT www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get INSTANT online access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!