Development Comm Meeting 2/19/2026

The Hood County Development Commission held a meeting on February 19, 2026, primarily focused on reviewing and updating development regulations, particularly concerning data centers, AI data centers, and crypto mining facilities. The commission discussed engaging specialized municipal law and engineering firms, including Borquez and Freeze and Nichols, to assist with drafting and reviewing regulatory changes. Key procurement-related topics included the approval of engagement letters with these firms, scope of work development, and cost estimates. The commission also debated proposed amendments to building coverage limits for certain industrial uses, aiming to regulate impervious surface area and land use impacts. They emphasized the importance of aligning regulations with state law, addressing drainage and traffic impact studies, and ensuring community involvement in the regulatory process. A motion was made to recommend changes to the county attorney and commissioner court for approval, including increasing maximum building coverage for data centers to 10% of a parcel and adopting specific definitions for data center-related uses. The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to balance development with environmental and community concerns, with legal and engineering support being procured to guide the process.