Fort Worth Data Center Moratorium Vote Moves to 2027.

Fort Worth’s debate over data centers is far from over. In fact, the timeline just got longer.

According to the 2871 Community Coalition, the Fort Worth City Council voted unanimously Aug. 11 to begin the process toward a temporary moratorium on new data center development.

While a final decision had initially been expected in December, the city’s schedule now places the final adoption vote on Feb. 16, 2027.

Before then, the Data Center and Infrastructure Commission is scheduled to report Nov. 3, followed by public hearings Nov. 10 and Jan. 5 and two ordinance readings.

If ultimately adopted, the moratorium would last 90 days, with an option for one additional 90-day extension.

Council also voted 10-1 to establish the Data Center and Infrastructure Commission, which will include 11 voting members. Five seats are designated for community members, although three require demonstrated knowledge in areas such as city development policy, technology infrastructure, environmental management or natural resource management.

Another 10-1 vote approved new filing requirements calling for data centers to provide proof of PUCT and ERCOT approval before an application is considered complete. According to the coalition, the requirements do not apply to already vested projects or certain projects outside Fort Worth city limits.

The city also adopted updated water and wastewater design criteria requiring new data centers within Fort Worth’s water service area to use closed-loop cooling and obtain NSIU wastewater pretreatment permits.

One project of particular interest to residents along the RM 2871 corridor will not be affected by the new measures. Edged Data Centers filed for its building permit Aug. 3, before the council votes.

According to the coalition, that gives the project vested status and allows it to move forward under the previous requirements.

For nearby residents following the issue, several months of public meetings and city action remain before the moratorium itself reaches a final vote.

More information from the 2871 Community Coalition is available at 2871community.org.