Government
BY MICHAEL MILLIORN
San Marcos City Council denies data center plans Plans for a proposed 200-acre data center in San Marcos were halted Feb. 17 when council members rejected a Preferred Scenario Map amendment. The requested change would have allowed land- owners, Highlander SM One LLC, or John Maberry, and Donald and Germaine Tu to develop a data center—a project met with signicant pushback from community members. What happened Hundreds of residents gathered outside the San Marcos courthouse to protest the proposed data center, waving handmade signs outlining their opposition. Over 100 community members spoke on the data center during the meeting’s almost ve- hour-long citizen comment period. Inside the council chambers, dozens of members of the San Antonio-based labor union LiUNA! Laborers Local 1095 stood in support of the project.
Hundreds of San Marcos residents gathered at the city courthouse to protest a proposed data center on Feb. 17. The council voted to deny a map amendment, stopping the project’s development. The impact
Hays County-area news 3 stories we’re following online
1 San Marcos increases downtown police presence with partnership Following several violent crimes in the San Marcos downtown square in 2025, City Council approved a partnership with Texas State University to enhance public safety at a Feb. 3 meeting. 2 Hays County OKs water study amid severe drought Hays County will get its rst comprehensive water study since 2011 after a Hays County Commissioners Court decision at a Jan. 20 meeting. 3 Buda approves $242K contract for development code update The Buda City Council approved a contract with Kending Keast Collaborative for a comprehensive update of the City’s Uni ed Development Code. The contract may not exceed $242,260.
MICHAEL MILLIORNCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Donning bright orange shirts, members spoke on the union construction jobs the data center project would create. A majority of speakers voiced their opposition to the data center, citing high water usage, increased strain on the ERCOT grid and potential environmen- tal impacts on the surrounding land and residents.
Legal questions stall proposed Hays County moratorium on water-heavy projects
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra tabled the item following community testimony and legal advice from counsel, who conrmed the county’s lack of legal authority to impose a development moratorium. Hays County and the surrounding region continue to face long-standing water challenges, including a severe multiyear drought.
Hays County Commissioners Court tabled three agenda items related to emergency drought response, conservation and a development moratorium during a Feb. 24 meeting. The overview The items would have addressed concerns sur- rounding water availability and potential develop- ments that use large amounts of water.
“I will not back down. I will push for additional awareness. I will push for another way to do this. I will push, and I will not slow down, and I will not back off.” RUBEN BECERRA, HAYS COUNTY JUDGE
Our schools and our students are so much more than one test on a single day. Let’s Measure What Matters in our Texas public schools.
Ad paid by Raise Your Hand Texas®
11
SAN MARCOS BUDA KYLE EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook