Keller, Westlake settle data center dispute

Residents of Keller and Westlake, Texas, will no longer fight in court over a proposed data center on the city line. The City of Keller announced it has reached a settlement with Westlake and Circle T Owner LP.

The development is planned for a 1.1 million square foot site in Westlake, situated near the border with Keller. For months, the project has been a point of contention between the two municipalities. Keller residents argued they did not receive adequate notice before the development moved forward. Many live in the Marshall Ridge neighborhood, which is close to the proposed construction site.

Concerns from local families focused on several key issues. These include potential environmental impacts, effects on personal health, and the value of their properties. The City of Keller previously sought a temporary injunction to stop work on the project. That legal hold expired in late September.

Under the new agreement, the city gains the authority to enforce specific noise limits. For the first three years of operations, the data center must undergo quarterly noise monitoring. The settlement also mandates landscaping requirements and emissions controls. Additionally, the project will make a financial contribution to the Keller Fire-Rescue department.

This local resolution arrives as data centers become a major political issue in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott initially supported new data centers in the state. He later shifted his stance to slow development, requiring resource audits before new permits are issued. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has called for a temporary pause on all data center projects until the state legislature convenes.

City officials said they plan to work with Governor-elect Hinojosa on statewide regulations for these facilities.