City of Temple - City Council Meeting- 4/16/26

The City of Temple held a City Council meeting on April 16, 2026, which included extensive public discussion and council deliberation on several key procurement and development issues, most notably the proposed annexation and rezoning for a large data center project known as Project Ranger. The council considered ordinances authorizing the voluntary annexation of approximately 302 acres and rezoning from agricultural to planned development light industrial to accommodate the data center. The meeting featured a lengthy public hearing with numerous residents expressing concerns about environmental impacts, water usage, noise, traffic, and transparency related to the data center developments. Representatives from Rowan Ranger LLC provided detailed explanations of the data center's water usage, cooling systems, and infrastructure plans, emphasizing the use of air-cooled closed-loop systems and commitments to water-positive projects. The council approved the annexation and rezoning ordinances with votes of four to zero and one abstention, and also approved a development agreement with Rowan Ranger LLC outlining phased permitting, infrastructure improvements, and utility service agreements. Additional agenda items included a zoning change to allow a daycare facility and a speed limit reduction on South 31st Street, both of which were approved unanimously. The meeting was notable for its length and the high level of public engagement, particularly regarding the data center projects and their potential impacts on the community.