Comprehensive Data Center Prohibition
Summary
Forney officials are on high alert after a neighboring county got slapped with a $100 million lawsuit for trying to block data centers. It’s a wake-up call that zoning restrictions need to be airtight to avoid burning through taxpayer cash in court.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 15, 2026.
Impact analysis
Protects surrounding residential property values by preventing incompatible industrial intrusions.
Local residents living near potential industrial corridors.
Developers or companies looking to build data centers in Forney.
Mentions & discussions (8)
City Council - Sep 15, 2026
The city adopted strict rules to make sure data centers can only locate in light industrial zones with a conditional use permit and stay 5,000 feet away from homes, stopping developers from using planned development loopholes.
Planning and Zoning - Sep 3, 2026
The city is tightening its rules to completely ban data centers from all zoning districts and planned developments, addressing community concerns about heavy industrial uses.
City Council - Jul 21, 2026
The council is moving to ban data centers citywide to prevent noise and resource strain. They want to ensure these facilities don't negatively impact local neighborhoods.
Texas County Rescinds its Data Center Moratorium After $100 Million Lawsuit From Developer | Forney Messenger
A rural North Texas county that appears to be the first in the state to pass a data center moratorium has rescinded the measure after being sued by a developer for $100 million in damages. The Hill County Commissioners on Thursday voted unanimously to end the moratorium and adopt a checklist it will require of data center developers, just two weeks after initially instating the temporary pause of up to one year.
Planning and Zoning - Jun 4, 2026
The city is balancing the desire for new tax revenue from data centers against the need to protect residential neighborhoods from noise and utility strain. The commission decided that a 1,000-foot buffer was insufficient compared to the 5,000-foot standard.
City Council - Apr 21, 2026
Residents expressed concerns about data centers, leading the council to add strict distance requirements from homes.
City Council - Mar 17, 2026
Residents and Council are concerned about the environmental and utility impacts of data centers. The Council is looking for ways to restrict these developments.
Planning and Zoning - Mar 5, 2026
The city is creating new rules for data centers to manage their high utility usage and potential noise impacts on nearby neighborhoods. By requiring a conditional use permit, the city can review each project individually to ensure it's a good fit for the location.
Related development
Data Center Zoning
The developer claims the facility will use zero water for cooling and have minimal noise impact.
Data Center Rezone on F.M. 1641
Brought mixed reactions from commissioners and residents over neighborhood compatibility, high power usage, and noise.
Forney Logistics Center
Advances industrial growth and logistics capacity in the area.
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