Special Planning & Zoning Commission - September 10, 2026

The City of Lubbock's Special Planning & Zoning Commission convened on September 10, 2026, to discuss proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) specifically addressing large-scale data centers and their associated power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. The meeting focused on defining large-scale data centers, establishing zoning and development standards, and addressing community concerns such as water usage, electrical demand, noise, air quality, and decommissioning. The commission reviewed a proposal to require specific use permits for data centers consuming at least 75 megawatts of power or 100,000 gallons of water daily, limiting their location to light and heavy industrial districts, and imposing conditions including water reservation fees, power usage studies, setback requirements, noise limits, and landscaping. Public comments highlighted concerns about environmental impacts, resource consumption, and enforcement. Commissioners debated thresholds, regulatory scope, and potential impacts on economic development. Due to numerous questions and the complexity of the issue, the commission voted unanimously to table the proposal and postpone further action to November 5, 2026, allowing additional review and refinement of the amendments before final recommendation to the city council.