By Anton Riecher
At a series of public hearings Monday by the Lytle City Council regarding annexation and zoning for the 284-acre Rowan Digital Infrastructure data center project, speakers repeatedly stressed that the project should not move forward without clearer facts on issues ranging from water use and traffic to effects on neighboring property values.
Coal Mine neighborhood resident Jesue Valdez noted that Gov. Greg Abbott has placed a temporary pause on new data center permit approvals pending a comprehensive audit underway by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
“Knowing that they can’t even get the state permits are you (the city council) going to postpone the vote so we can see the outcome of what happens?”
Of the 26 speakers to take the podium at the Lytle Community Center, those joining Valdez included Letica Alston, Arcol and Linda Bujol, Ayman Helms, Frank and Monica Ybarra and Lainey Franklin. None of the speakers spoke in favor of the project.
City Administrator Zachary Meadows set the stage for the hearings for Project Pirate (also known as Project Cinco) regarding proposed annexation, rezoning to industrial use and creation of a reinvestment zone, a designated area to encourage economic development, new construction and business expansion.
“I recognize that a project of this size raises important questions and I want to acknowledge the residents for taking the time to show their concerns about drainage, lighting, setbacks, noise, water, infrastructure and the long-term impact this project may have on our community.
Jurisdiction is the city’s main legal issue, Meadows explained. The project is already located in the city extra-territorial jurisdiction, a designated unincorporated area of land located immediately outside a city’s official corporate limits.
Annexation would allow the city to regulate the site more directly and direct agreements with the developer would limit the property to data center use even with industrial use zoning, Meadows said.
Benefits from the project claimed during the hearing included…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!