Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, TX — The Brownsville City Commission advanced a proposed 90-day moratorium on High-Intensity Data Processing Facilities, commonly known as data centers, during a special meeting Wednesday.
Commissioners approved Ordinance No. 2026-1826 on first reading following the third and final public hearing. The proposed moratorium would temporarily pause the acceptance, processing and approval of data center applications within the City of Brownsville and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.
The pause gives the City time to evaluate potential impacts on infrastructure, natural resources, public health, safety and quality of life while developing appropriate regulations for future data center development.
“Advancing the proposed moratorium gives the City the time necessary to carefully evaluate how this type of development could affect Brownsville’s infrastructure, resources and quality of life,” said Mayor John Cowen Jr., City of Brownsville. “The Commission will continue considering community input as we work to ensure future development aligns with the long-term interests of our residents.”
The moratorium process began after a data center zoning application involving the former Walmart building was filed July 1. Public hearings were held September 1, October 6 and October 7.
Wednesday’s action does not place the moratorium into effect. The ordinance is scheduled to return for second and final reading November 4 and would require a three-fourths approval vote of the City Commission.
If approved, the 90-day moratorium would take effect November 5 and continue through February 3, 2027. During that period, the City would continue evaluating policies and development regulations for High-Intensity Data Processing Facilities.
State law allows one extension of up to 90 additional days, which the City Commission is expected to support.
