Development

Last night, Lubbock’s Planning and Zoning Commission heard from community members speaking on a property where asphalt batch plants have been operating on and off for years near Lubbock’s historic Parkway Cherry Point neighborhood. The property has been operating in residential zoning and owners were requesting a change to industrial. The commission voted against recommending the change, which will go to the Lubbock City Council on Dec. 1.

Lubbock’s Planning and Zoning Commission has voted not to recommend a zone change for property under an industrial asphalt batch plant less than 600 feet from residential neighborhoods where Lubbockites have lived for decades. Community members who spoke against the proposal took hope from the commission's decision, but they know that one of Lubbock's oldest fights is not yet over.

Next week, Lubbock’s Planning and Zoning Commission will be considering a zone change for property under an industrial asphalt batch plant that started operating earlier this year. The plant is located on residential property just south of Erskine Street, on the other side of Northeast Loop 289 from Lubbock’s historic Parkway Cherry Point neighborhood. Residents are concerned about blowing dust from the facility. The public hearing with the Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled for Nov. 6 at 6 p.m., at Citizens Tower at 1314 Avenue K.

The City of Wolfforth is asking residents to share their thoughts for the development of a new town center. Our Samantha Larned reports the project is meant to integrate civic building, parks, and opportunities for new business and housing. The survey will close on Saturday, Oct. 31. You can find it here. Roads are closed in downtown Lubbock ahead of President Trump’s rally to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. Doors at the Civic Center will open for the event at 2:30 p.m. All pedestrian traffic and parking in the area will be stopped this afternoon at 4 p.m. Public safety details from the City of Lubbock and Lubbock Police can be found here. Meanwhile, the Lubbock rally for Paxton’s opponent, Democrat James Talarico, has been relocated to the Fiesta Center at 1902 E Fourth Street.

The TCEQ has temporarily shut down its online application system and has suspended all notices of intent for stormwater construction related to data centers, after a report from a national watchdog organization claimed the commission was violating the governor’s directive. Other actions like air emissions certifications and pollution notices for data center support structures appear unchanged.

This week, Lubbock's City Council said it would not consider any large-scale data center projects until regulations have been adopted to protect city residents and resources. Two days later, the Planning and Zoning Commission saw a presentation of potential requirements for developers, but members of the board said the proposal needs more work.

Yesterday, Lubbock’s Planning and Zoning Commission heard a proposal to add new regulations for potential large-scale data center developments within city limits. The presentation comes after a meeting earlier this week, where city council members spoke on what they want to see before considering any data center projects. No recommendations were adopted at this time and the vote was rescheduled to Nov. 5.

Lubbock’s City Council passed a resolution yesterday that the council would not consider any large-scale data center developments until after the city has adopted standards to protect residents and resources. A presentation of proposed regulations is scheduled for tomorrow at a special meeting of Lubbock’s Planning & Zoning Commission, tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. at Citizens Tower, located at 1314 Avenue K. You can find a copy of the recommendations here.

Data center development has picked up in the Austin area, and residents have voiced concerns about water and energy resources related to the construction. But experts say they can use those concerns to get the companies to build more sustainably.

Since President Trump announced the Lancium Crusoe Stargate facility in early 2025, Taylor County has celebrated new revenue and jobs, but community members have also decried the spike in housing costs, traffic, and other impacts.