The Round Rock City Council approved a rezoning ordinance Thursday night, allowing SkyBox to build a new data center near Old Settlers Boulevard and North A.W. Grimes Boulevard. The decision followed community protests, including a march from the public library to City Hall, where residents voiced concerns about water and electricity use and potential local impacts.
Current data center landscape
SkyBox already operates data centers in Pflugerville and Georgetown. According to city records, there are two major data center campuses in Round Rock and 38 in the Austin area, with 387 across Texas. Existing centers in the city have been operational since 2020. City officials report no evidence of disruptions or negative effects on residents or the environment from these facilities.
Community perspectives
Residents and advocacy groups emphasized the need for transparency regarding electricity and water consumption. Organizer Gary Oldham noted that data centers can place a heavy load on local resources. City planning director Brad Dushkin said the council reviews each proposal individually and will continue to monitor community concerns, tracking complaints over time. He also highlighted that the proposed facility is smaller than older campuses and uses more modern technology.
The approval follows the first reading of the ordinance in December and represents a second step in bringing the new SkyBox data center to Round Rock.
Thanks kvue.com for the scoop.
