Data center regulations

An apprentice electrician described how union data center work gave him career skills and family income.

An IBEW Local 60 member described going from homelessness and felony convictions to homeownership through data center construction work.

An IBEW Local 60 leader said the answer to data center concerns is standards, not a pause — regulate and build local.

A second-year apprentice from District 3 urged support for Option 1, saying all his training hours came from data center work.

An IBEW electrician urged a hybrid approach with clear by-right standards plus community input.

A District 6 resident presented a packet of proposed amendments to Option 2, including mandatory 'shall' requirements, resident protections on power costs, and enforcement with fines and revocations.

A concerned resident said data centers enable ICE and mass surveillance and urged the council to keep them out of communities.

A resident backed SUA requirements and Mayor Jones's proposal, citing skyrocketing electricity costs and a polluting West Texas data center project.

Urged the council to vote for regulations (Option B or C), warning that without written rules, environmental officers can't enforce anything in Districts 2, 3, 4, and 6.

A District 6 resident described light pollution and humming from a data center two streets from his house and backed stronger regulation.

A public health nurse with Texas Physicians for Social Responsibility detailed asthma, air, water, and noise health risks and urged adoption of Option B.

Coordinator of the Environmental Collaborative of San Antonio cited polls showing 70% national and 80% Texas opposition to data centers and posed accountability questions about water, power, and noise.

Supported the mayor's combined by-right/SUA approach, drawing lessons from the Walolti Ranch wastewater permit controversy about compliance versus stewardship.

A pediatric hospitalist with the South Texas Asthma Coalition urged a yes vote on Mayor Jones's proposal with its 1,000-foot buffer and enclosed generators.

A carpenter-turned-project manager asked whether added SUA requirements add real value or just cost, time, and uncertainty.

An IBEW apprentice described escaping three jobs and family strain thanks to the union apprenticeship and data center work.

AGC San Antonio president argued local workers build these projects and warned that requiring SUA on every project means none would get built.

Associated Builders and Contractors representative cited $2.3 billion in data center investment and $51 million in 2026 property taxes and backed the Zoning Commission recommendation.

RECSA president backed the Zoning Commission's 8-1 compromise, stressing certainty for commercial real estate and protections for existing data centers.

Representing the Energy Ford Alliance of large CPS customers, called the Zoning Commission recommendation a balanced compromise and warned projects will move to Medina County if over-restricted.

A union electrician who liked the mayor's proposal best, urging sustainable-energy requirements and power plant investment.

A District 7 union electrician supported strong standards but worried case-by-case political approval for every project would dry up jobs.

Thanked Councilmember Galvan, raised health disparities on the South and West Sides, and urged rejection of the less-protective zoning option.

A 17-year IBEW member and minority caucus president said uncertainty from the proposed changes could undercut union bargaining power.

Public Citizen advocate described knocking on 4,000 District 6 doors about the Vantage data center's TCEQ air permit and urged a yes vote on Option 2.

A District 6 electrician with lifelong asthma who still backs data centers, citing careers, homeownership, and his sons' college paths.

Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance policy director urged SUA in all districts and no by-right permitting anywhere, noting residents learn of data centers only when construction starts.

A former zoning commissioner argued 350 and even 1,000 feet is too close, called for half-mile setbacks, independent acoustical studies, and mandatory utility disclosure.

An IBEW journeyman detailed union pay, benefits, and apprenticeship pathways funded by data center construction.

A non-union electrical shop owner urged pro-business, balanced growth to keep crews working.

A realtor cited a 6.8% home value decline near hyperscale facilities and pushed for a two-mile buffer.

A crane and rigging company CEO with 180+ employees said his workers need data center jobs and asked the council to see the full picture.

A District 1 electrician argued environmental and grid concerns can be managed and called data centers a net positive.

An IBEW electrician defended the Zoning Commission's fairness and warned of misinformation.

Bear Branches Alliance director urged tree preservation, citing 125,000 acres of regional canopy loss and ozone non-attainment deadlines.

A District 5 resident with Vecinos en Acción demanded Option A be removed entirely, citing aquifer protection, forever chemicals, and Indigenous rights.

Received donated time and urged the council to reconsider a moratorium, citing 463 million gallons of data center water use over two years.

Stream Data Centers executive cited a $400 monthly water bill on a 300,000-square-foot building via closed-loop cooling and supported the Zoning Commission guidelines.

Another Stream Data Centers representative echoed Bolner and backed the Zoning Commission recommendation.

A District 4 resident accused the council of being lobbied and pushed for miles-wide setbacks and radical water-reuse requirements.