Data center moratorium

Warned the council she is watching to ensure the moratorium isn't just a delay tactic, saying the community ultimately wants a ban.

A tech worker who said he's not anti-technology but argued Denton's wastewater and electric capacity are at their limits.

Supported the moratorium, acknowledging some fiscal benefits but questioning long-term costs, jobs, and infrastructure strain; also suggested a charter amendment for resident votes on zoning.

A construction worker who shared anecdotal reports of data centers switching from closed-loop to open-loop cooling contrary to permit commitments.

Supported the moratorium, citing his own experience with AI displacing workers and warning that financial benefits are a smoke screen for an unproven technology investment.

Representing Public Citizen, she noted 40+ Texas counties have asked for data center guardrails, cited TCEQ permits moving despite the governor's order, and detailed water use and toxic discharge concerns.

A science teacher who supported the moratorium, citing AI risks and the possibility of an investment bubble.

A hospice nurse who said constituents across the political spectrum oppose data centers and urged the council to support the moratorium.

An organizer with Data Center Free Denton who argued new regulations are a band-aid, urged the council toward an eventual ban, and noted all 20 speakers at the first hearing supported the moratorium.

Supported a 90-day moratorium with renewal, cited a Virginia/Texas AgriLife white paper of best practices, and asked how applications will be protected from a rush during the process.

Voiced support for the zoning changes as a necessary bare-minimum step given how new and impactful AI data center technology is.

Asked clarifying questions about grandfathering rights and whether council members have direct voting discretion on special use permits for data centers.

Urged the council to pass stronger environmental protections and data center regulations to protect rare native Texas prairies and worsening water shortages.

Cited nationwide examples of water pollution and noise from data centers, supporting a moratorium.

Questioned the economic benefit of data centers given low job creation and high resource use.

Shared personal experiences from winter storms and supported protecting public utility reliability.

Raised concerns about water cooling system purges and chemical refrigerant disposal.

Emphasized electrical cooling water demands and urged careful environmental studies.

Stressed public health concerns, noise pollution, and community unity against data centers.

Pointed to heat island effects and resource strain, urging council to listen to residents.

Supported the moratorium, noting state-level regulatory discussions and community representation.

Expressed concern about stress on the energy grid and rising utility bills due to data centers.

Voiced opposition to data centers due to lack of environmental research and resource impacts.

Expressed concern over AI infrastructure speculation and environmental risks.

Spoke in favor of a temporary moratorium to allow time for proper regulations and protections.

Expressed distrust of large corporations and cited pollution concerns in other states.

Stressed environmental and health risks from data centers and urged council to pass a moratorium.

Highlighted past crypto mining bankruptcy issues and urged a pause on massive AI data centers.

Warned against mass surveillance infrastructure and environmental degradation.

Questioned fresh water usage by data centers and contrasted it with working conditions.

Suggested a longer moratorium duration to account for upcoming legislative sessions.

Warned about rising utility rates, grid instability, and heat island effects from data centers.

Asked how data centers positively affect the community and voiced support for the moratorium.