Data Center Zoning Regulations & Cryptocurrency Mining Prohibition

Urged the commission to classify data centers as heavy industrial rather than light industrial to protect minority and low-income neighborhoods from pollution and resource strain.

Requested a pause on the rapid data center approvals to allow time for careful study, scientific data, and proper ordinance drafting.

Highlighted concerns regarding intense heat, fire risks, and massive water consumption from AI data center campuses and backup generators.

Stated that data centers contribute to severe air pollution, asthma rates, heat islands, and noise pollution, urging commissioners to stop their expansion.

Argued that current proposed regulations are too weak and that the city is rushing the process without addressing the true scale of AI computing facilities.

Noted her background in tech and explained that AI GPU data centers are vastly different from older CPU data centers, demanding heavy industrial classification and a 1-mile setback.

Advocated for categorizing data centers by power draw rather than square footage, increasing setbacks, prohibiting roof-mounted HVAC, and requiring Tier 4 generators.

Expressed mental health concerns and warned about infrasound and noise frequencies below 20 hertz affecting residents and wildlife near data centers.

Criticized the city for fast-tracking industrial developments in minority communities and failing to protect historical landmarks like Weston Gardens.

Spoke on behalf of the 2871 Community Coalition, arguing that 250-foot setbacks are insufficient, cryptocurrency bans should include AI/blockchain facilities, and annual permits are needed.

Representing Community Design Fort Worth, urged real-time public dashboards for resource use, renewable energy requirements, and no tax incentives for data centers.

An audio engineer and forensic analyst who discussed low-frequency noise pollution, recording baselines, and the need for calibrated on-premises noise monitoring.

Compared data center regulations to the city's gas well drilling task force experience, emphasizing the need for larger setbacks and a dedicated oversight department.

A landscape designer at Weston Gardens who noted that single rows of evergreen trees are ineffective in Fort Worth's climate and advocated for a 1-mile buffer from residents.

Urged heavy industrial zoning, robust landscape buffering with drought-tolerant native plants, and a 1-mile radius protection around historic properties like Weston Gardens.

A CPA and historic property owner who raised concerns that low-frequency vibrations from data centers will crack 100-year-old historic limestone walls.

Argued that data centers are speculative projects driven by the generative AI bubble and that land use decisions should account for massive resource consumption.