Planning & Zoning Commission - October 1, 2026

The City of Lubbock Planning & Zoning Commission held a work session and regular meeting on October 1, 2026. The work session examined proposed Unified Development Code standards for large-scale data centers and associated power generation, transmission, and distribution. No action was taken; the amendments were postponed to the commission’s November 5 meeting. Staff presented alternatives for treating data centers as limited or specific uses: specific-use approval would require commission and City Council review, while limited-use projects meeting the standards could proceed through permitting. Discussion covered when applicants would submit water- and power-use studies, how to define large users (including a 75 MW electricity threshold and a proposed 100,000-gallon-per-day water threshold), 500-foot setbacks for power structures in specified locations, noise and generator-testing limits, water reservation fees, and permits for expansions exceeding 10% of permitted use. Commissioners asked staff to return with clearer study requirements. A resident urged specific-use review and water fees.

During the regular meeting, the commission considered several rezoning requests. Zone case 0809D (GI to LI) passed 8–0, and case 3304A (SF2 to heavy commercial) also advanced after a motion and second; the transcript does not clearly preserve its vote result. Case 3561, a request to rezone SF2 to heavy commercial, failed 0–7 at the commission; the case had five written objections and would require a six-of-seven supermajority at City Council. The commission also heard a request to rezone the former Jackson Elementary School for a proposed community center, with neighborhood concerns about the broader uses allowed by the requested zoning; the vote is garbled in the transcript. No procurement, contract award, or purchasing activity was identified.