Westlake Approves Circle T Data Center Despite Fierce Local Opposition

The Town of Westlake, Texas, has approved the site plan for the Circle T Data Center, a massive infrastructure project that has ignited a battle between municipal economic goals and residential quality of life. The decision comes after hours of public testimony from citizens who argue the facility is too close to their homes.

The approved campus will occupy approximately 87.96 acres situated near U.S. Highway 377 and Westport Parkway. According to project specifications, the site will feature roughly 3.83 million square feet of total development, with approximately 1.1 million square feet dedicated specifically to data center buildings. To address the outcry, the Westlake Planning and Zoning Commission attached specific mitigation conditions to the approval, including the installation of sound barriers to dampen the facility's operational noise.

A Jurisdictional Friction

The project has become a flashpoint for residents in both Westlake and the neighboring city of Keller. Because the site is located entirely within Westlake's jurisdiction, the city of Keller possesses no legal authority to block the development, despite many of its residents being the most directly impacted. Some homes are located just 506 feet from the nearest proposed building.

Opponents have cited concerns over plummeting property values, environmental and health impacts, and the disruption of local peace. The proximity is particularly sensitive given the site's location near the Wat Buddharatanaram Buddhist monastery. "We are really the ground zero neighborhood or one street neighborhood for this data center," said Kevin Myers, a resident of Keller, highlighting the localized intensity of the impact.

The Economic Trade-off

This conflict underscores a growing national trend where the high energy and water demands of data centers clash with residential zoning. For Westlake, the project represents a significant fiscal win. The development is expected to generate approximately $5 million in annual tax revenue for the first decade, rising to $7 million per year thereafter. This represents an estimated 14% increase in Westlake's annual revenue, creating a stark divide between the town's financial gain and the residents' perceived loss of amenity.

What's Next

With the site plan now approved, attention turns to the execution of the mitigation conditions. Residents will likely monitor the installation of sound barriers closely to see if they effectively neutralize the noise pollution. The situation remains a cautionary tale of jurisdictional gaps, as the political friction between Westlake and Keller persists while the project moves toward construction.