Fort Worth Advances $10 Billion Data Center After Heated Debate | Image by Make more Aerials/Shutterstock

The Fort Worth City Council voted 7-4 Tuesday to approve zoning amendments and a revised site plan covering 187 acres of Black Mountain’s planned $10 billion data center campus after residents delivered divided testimony on infrastructure, resource use and economic development.

The August 25 action did not newly authorize the entire campus. City staff said Fort Worth granted the underlying data center entitlements in January and September 2025. Black Mountain CEO Rhett Bennett has said the broader development could eventually represent a $10 billion private investment.

What the council approved

Zoning case ZC-26-041 amended an existing planned development district near Lon Stephenson Road, Forest Hill Drive and Anglin Drive. The approved changes allow an electrical substation, buildings up to 70 feet tall and one parking space for every four employees.

The final motion also requires data center buildings to sit at least 300 feet from neighboring residential property lines. Council Member Chris Nettles raised the issue during questioning, and Council Member Michael Crain formally moved to add the 300-foot requirement.

The revised layout replaces an earlier 18-building concept of about 3 million square feet with four buildings occupying just over 1 million square feet at ground level. The presented layout already placed the buildings more than 300 feet from adjacent residential property lines, according to city staff.

Staff also told the council that rejecting the amendments would not eliminate Black Mountain’s existing entitlement to build a data center at the site. The council’s action does not waive platting, drainage, traffic or other development requirements.

Texas debate over data centers

The national case for data centers extends beyond local investment and tax revenue. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the White House’s 2025 AI Action Plan says America is “in a race to achieve global dominance in artificial intelligence” and identifies building AI infrastructure as one of its three central pillars.

The plan ties American AI leadership to faster data center construction, expanded energy production and a modernized electric grid as China builds its own infrastructure.

Supporters argue that responsibly developed projects can help the United States remain ahead of China while bringing investment, skilled jobs and additional taxable value to local communities.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the debate over data centers has intensified across Texas amid concerns about electricity demand, water consumption and potential costs to consumers. Several major operators have committed to following new standards announced by Gov. Greg Abbott as state officials seek stronger safeguards for the electric grid, water systems and neighboring communities.

Former Texas GOP Chair James Dickey, whose consulting firm advises data center developers, previously analyzed Texas property data and said he found no evidence that the facilities depress surrounding home values.

“Power, water, and grid reliability are real constraints,” Dickey wrote.

Residents split over Black Mountain

Supporters described data centers as an unavoidable part of the modern economy and urged Fort Worth to capture the investment rather than push it elsewhere.

“Fort Worth is a city where large investments and small enterprises grow together,” resident Emerald Khan said.

Brian Patman challenged the council’s priorities. “Who is it that you are fighting for? Because it certainly isn’t for us, even though it should be,” he told council.

Sue Weston asked the council to delay the decision, arguing that officials lacked sufficient analysis of potential stormwater and vibration effects, among other issues.

Council weighs more protective plan

Council Member Mia Hall said the council was choosing between the project’s existing entitlements and a revised plan with greater neighborhood protections—not whether a data center could occupy the property.

“I can’t stop a data center from being there, and there’s going to be a data center there in either regard,” Hall said.

Mayor Mattie Parker thanked residents living near the site for studying the project and said their concerns shaped her vote.

“I listened to every single word you said and understood what you were asking for for your community and for your neighborhood,” Parker said. “And that is why I will be supporting the current alternative motion on the floor.”

Parker also said Fort Worth should establish a strong regulatory framework before the next legislative session and defended her colleagues from personal attacks.

“I respect every colleague on this dais. They work incredibly hard to be here. They don’t deserve personal attacks or vendettas,” Parker said.

Fort Worth created a Data Center and Infrastructure Commission on August 11 and is considering a temporary moratorium while officials develop broader regulations. The city’s webpage says any moratorium would not apply to vested, approved or in-progress projects.

The 7-4 approval advances Black Mountain’s revised plan through the remaining development reviews. The amended plan adds a written 300-foot residential separation while reducing the number of buildings shown on the current site plan.