Plano Is Studying Data Centers as Neighbors and Nearby Cities Push Back

Data centers came up at Plano's Planning and Zoning Commission on November 2, even though none was on the agenda. While presenting this year's updates to the comprehensive plan, a city planner responded to a request commissioners had made in October to consider "studying the potential impacts of data centers on city services and resources, including water demand."

"City staff and leadership are currently researching data centers and evaluating potential concerns associated with this land use," the planner told the commission. That research could feed into the plan's Built Environment pillar, which the city will review in 2027. The commission took no action on data centers that night.

East of Plano, residents in Lavon have spent much of this year pushing back on the possibility of a data center in their city. In December 2024, the Lavon City Council unanimously approved a zoning change allowing data centers on about 79 acres in the Elevon development, southwest of FM 2755 and Watkins Road. At that hearing, nearby residents raised concerns about noise, traffic, water, energy use, drainage and security, and the approval included a ban on cryptocurrency mining at the site, according to the council's December 3, 2024 minutes.