A proposed data center in Hutto, Texas, has been officially abandoned by Zydeco Development, which has retracted its request to rezone a specific parcel of land along Ed Schmidt Boulevard.
The city’s planning department noted that the initial proposal necessitated alterations to both the city’s future land use map and the SOAR 2040 comprehensive plan, aiming to shift the land’s designation from multifamily residential to heavy industrial.
Background of the Proposal
During a public meeting held earlier this month, Howard Koonz, the director of development services, advised against the project’s approval. He emphasized that the comprehensive plan reflects the community’s aspirations for Hutto’s growth and serves as a critical framework for evaluating development proposals.
“This proposal did not align with that vision. Thoughtful planning is essential for the city, and we are open to ongoing discussions,” Koontz stated.
The City of Hutto has reiterated its commitment to responsible and community-focused growth, pledging to assess development proposals with careful consideration through its established planning framework.
Community Response
The decision to withdraw the rezoning request came shortly after local residents expressed their opposition. A week prior to the withdrawal, community members living near the proposed site had filed two written protests, organized through a Facebook group named “Stop the Hutto Data Center.”
A group representative indicated that they had been engaging with neighbors in the vicinity, gathering signatures to support their protests. “We estimate that we have collected about 42% of the signatures needed to make our efforts successful. We will need further assistance from our neighbors to reach our goal,” the member noted.
Residents aimed for the protests to instigate a state-mandated supermajority vote by the city council, concerned about potential issues such as continuous low-frequency noise, the impact on the local power grid, and the long-term implications of establishing a heavy industrial zone near residential areas.
Cancellation of Upcoming Meetings
The withdrawal of the rezoning request has led to the cancellation of a special planning and zoning commission meeting that was scheduled for April 20, where the application was set to be reviewed, as no further action was deemed necessary.
