Fort Worth’s giant data center proposal in the city’s southeast side just grew again. Yesterday, the Zoning Commission signed off on another rezoning request for developer Black Mountain Power, adding more land to what company leaders have pitched as roughly a $10 billion buildout. Nearby residents and businesses say the rapid expansion could threaten Weston Gardens and strain local water and power systems.
Commission Signs Off On More Acres
At the zoning commission hearing, consultant Bob Riley asked officials to rezone land along Lon Stephenson Road and Anglin Drive. The commission voted unanimously to approve the request, according to the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram. City agenda materials tied to case ZC‑25‑132 list about 45.3 acres connected to the proposal and identify parcels on Lon Stephenson and 7500 Anglin Drive, per City of Fort Worth records.
Supersized Campus Takes Shape
The latest request caps a months‑long series of moves that started with a January filing for roughly 141 acres, followed by another 171 acres approved in June, and a September council vote clearing about 119 acres. Altogether, the cumulative rezoned area now sits at roughly 430 acres, according to reporting by the Fort Worth Report. Developers say the site will be built in phases and will need new power and fiber infrastructure to support multiple buildings and campus operations.
Neighbors Worry About Noise, Water And Lights
Owners of Weston Gardens and other nearby residents told local outlets they are bracing for constant noise, bright lights and heavier truck traffic, warning that the complex could harm the garden center and nearby wells. They have pushed the city for stronger buffers and clearer site plans before more land is brought into the project. Neighbors also questioned whether the massive campus could put extra stress on the regional power grid, NBC DFW reported.
Developer Sells Project As Major Economic Win
Black Mountain Power and CEO Rhett Bennett have described the data center campus as one of the largest economic developments in Tarrant County, saying the full buildout could total about $10 billion, including fiber lines, new power infrastructure and roadwork, according to the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram. Company materials and a recent financing announcement describe Black Mountain Power as a Fort Worth‑headquartered land and power development platform tied to energy and mining investments, per a release carried by EIN Presswire.
What Happens Next
Developers and their consultants told commissioners that more rezoning applications are likely. Any future site plan, they said, will need to include larger setbacks from neighboring properties, tree protections, and a primary entrance routed to Forest Hill Drive instead of Lon Stephenson, according to case documents on file with the City of Fort Worth. The city’s water department and utilities must also sign off on supply and transmission plans before construction can begin, the Fort Worth Report notes.
For now, the proposal moves ahead through more filings, public hearings and infrastructure reviews while neighbors and city officials wrestle over buffers, water concerns and the long‑term impact on southeast Fort Worth’s neighborhoods and green spaces. Local media plan to keep a close eye on council agendas and zoning dockets as Black Mountain Power submits new cases, according to NBC DFW.
