Planning Commission LIVE stream 4-20-26

The City of San Angelo Planning Commission held a meeting on April 20, 2026, focusing heavily on land use regulations, particularly concerning data centers. Public comments expressed concerns about water usage, environmental impact, transparency, and community benefits related to a proposed data center project by Skybox Emergent. The commission discussed and recommended adopting a conditional use process for data centers in light and heavy manufacturing zones, including requirements for site plans, noise studies, landscaping, setbacks, and fencing to protect residential areas. They debated appropriate setback distances, with a consensus leaning toward a 200-foot buffer from residential properties within city limits and 50 feet in extraterritorial jurisdictions (ETJ). The commission also addressed subdivision plats, sign variances, right-of-way abandonments, and conditional uses for short-term rentals and retail sales. Motions were passed to approve various plats and zoning changes, and the commission planned to forward the data center regulations to city council for further public hearings in May. A town hall meeting was scheduled to address public questions on water use, noise, and other concerns. The meeting emphasized balancing economic development with community protections and transparency in the approval process for large-scale projects like data centers.