The Final Word: All Eyes on Killeen City Council After Commission’s “No” Vote On Data Center

The Killeen Planning Commission avoids the wrath of Central Texas community members by voting against a new data center in south Killeen.

Killeen Planning Commission Rejects $30 Million Data Center Proposal

An attempt to bring a $30 million technology hub to South Killeen hit a major roadblock on Monday evening. According to KCEN, the Killeen Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend the denial of a conditional use permit for a data center project proposed by the firm ONMINE.

The "Virtual Power Plant" Pitch

Representing Four Lazy J Properties, co-founders Ahmed and Ziyad Elgamal presented a plan for a 2.6-acre site on S. Fort Hood Street. Knowing about the heated opinions surrounding data centers, the two described the facility not just as a data center, but as a "virtual power plant" and a "grid shock absorber." The men claimed the center would work in tandem with ERCOT to stabilize the state's energy infrastructure during times of high demand.

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What About the Water?

One of the most significant claims made by ONMINE was that the facility would not utilize any local water for cooling. The water use issue is a frequent point of contention for data center projects in Central Texas. The company proposed alternative cooling systems and promised to fund local fiber infrastructure improvements to attract more tech-oriented businesses to the area.

Skepticism and Local Concerns

Despite the hour-long presentation, the commission and local residents remained unconvinced. A primary point of friction was the project's contribution to the local economy. When representatives admitted the facility would likely only create 14 full-time jobs, Commissioner Scedric Miller questioned if that employment level was sufficient to justify the development.

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Environmental Issues

Residents also raised alarms regarding the environmental factors associated with data centers, specifically noise pollution and the massive electrical draw required for high-performance computing.

Next Steps

While city staff pointed out that the project’s location near an electrical substation aligned with some goals of Killeen's comprehensive economic plan, the commission ultimately sided with the vocal opposition. The final fate of the ONMINE project now rests with the Killeen City Council, which will hold the ultimate authority to approve or permanently block the zoning request.