Residents in the town of Westlake, Texas, are voicing strong opposition to the construction of a 1.1 million-square-foot data center, known as Circle T Data Center, proposed to be built adjacent to residential areas, Ridgeview Elementary School, and the Wat Buddharatanaram Buddhist monastery.
The town's Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved the plans for the data center on an approximately 88-acre site. The decision came after a four-hour meeting attended by over 100 residents who shared their concerns. "We're not asking you to kill this project, we are asking you to move it," Marshall Ridge resident Ben Buckwalter stated, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "Hillwood is owned by billionaires, they have plenty of land. So work with Hillwood, please move it, build it, just don't build it next to our homes, don't build it next to our elementary school."
Maechee Sarah Hudson, a nun at the Wat Buddharatanaram monastery, expressed worries that the data center's proximity would disrupt the serenity of the religious site, potentially infringing on First Amendment rights. "When there is a company that's wanting to come in, and that will have a negative impact on the surroundings, that includes us," Hudson told NBC 5. "So, if we are no longer able to provide a peaceful environment for others, that's then encroaching on our First Amendment right."
Concerns extend to potential noise pollution, unspecified health impacts, and a negative effect on property values. "Our concern is, one, the noise. Two, what health impacts it may have on people in this neighborhood. And three, how it's negatively going to impact our property value," local resident Kevin Myers said. Myers indicated he is not opposed to data centers in general but requested a pause on the project for further research.
The proposed site is approximately 730 yards from the monastery and less than half a mile from Ridgeview Elementary School. Stephanie Rodriguez, a mother of two students at the school, voiced apprehension about potential health consequences for children and the loss of the neighborhood's peaceful character. "We do not know the health impact these centers can cause, and I am not willing to volunteer my children to be the guinea pigs based off of another city's decision to place it in our city line within yards of our school with young children," she told the Star-Telegram.
The town's approval was based on the property being privately owned and zoned under a Planned Development District that permits data center construction. Deputy Town Manager Jason Alexander stated, "As long as it's compliant with those provisions, then we felt that the site plan should be approved."
Despite the commission's approval, former Westlake planning commissioner Linda Bjorn has urged residents to attend the upcoming Westlake city council meeting, where the final decision will be made.
The town's website highlights the development, stating it will not increase utility bills and projects noise levels to remain below that of a household refrigerator between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. The site also plans for the planting of 4,000 native trees and bushes along its perimeter. Westlake Mayor Kim Greaves stated on the town's site, "This project has been carefully evaluated to ensure it meets our high standards while providing meaningful long-term benefits for our community."
Residents, however, feel a lack of consideration. "Build your center, that's fine. But give us the same courtesy as your residents," Patricia Myers stated.
