government
Zoning commissioners deny data center rules, return ordinance to Fort Worth City Council
By Nicole Lopez at Fort Worth Report
· July 9, 2026
· 7 min read
Fort Worth ’s proposed zoning and development ordinance on data centers — a first of its kind — received a 7-4 vote of denial before it heads to City Council. Zoning commissioners expressed a need for more details, stricter regulations and more time to review the ordinance. Before making a vote, all
Key takeaway “I can appreciate the work, it’s insufficient at this time,” Commissioner Matt McCoy said.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The zoning commissioners' denial of the proposed data center rules sends the ordinance back to the Fort Worth City Council, where it will likely face continued scrutiny from residents concerned about the impact of these facilities on the city's resources. The recommended regulations, which would prohibit cryptocurrency mining and restrict data centers to industrial zones, are a step towards addressing these concerns, but the commissioners' call for stricter regulations and more time to review the ordinance suggests that the city is not yet ready to move forward. As the city council revisits the ordinance, they will need to balance the needs of residents with the interests of data center developers, who have been eyeing Fort Worth as a prime location for new facilities. The outcome of this process will have significant implications for the city's growth and development, particularly in areas like south Fort Worth, where residents are already mobilizing against proposed data centers.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: government ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Fort Worth’s proposed zoning and development ordinance on data centers — a first of its kind — received a 7-4 vote of denial before it heads to City Council. Zoning commissioners expressed a need for more details, stricter regulations and more time to review the ordinance. Before making a vote, all
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicole Lopez at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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