Coppell planners require special-use review for data centers and crypto mining
September 18, 2026 | Coppell, Dallas County, Texas
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The Coppell Planning & Zoning Commission on Sept. 17 approved a package of zoning text amendments that will require special-use permits (SUPs) for data centers and cryptocurrency-mining facilities in the Light Industrial district.
Staff presenter Matt Steer said the change is proactive, intended "to responsibly regulate the use and potential impacts of these proposed uses on the city's infrastructure and surrounding properties," and is not in response to a specific application in Coppell. Under the revised code, data centers and crypto facilities will be defined as distinct land uses and routed through the SUP review process so council can weigh community impacts.
The SUP workflow described by staff begins with an internal Development Review Committee review, public notice mailed to property owners within 200 feet per state law and (as a courtesy) to owners within 800 feet, a public hearing before the Planning & Zoning Commission and a council decision. Steer noted council approval can be by simple majority except when property owners representing 20% or more of the land area within 200 feet oppose the request, which would require a 6-of-7 supermajority at council.
Commissioners asked staff to add performance metrics and tripwires — including power-consumption thresholds and generator/use criteria — so the ordinance will capture uses that have small footprints but very large energy demands. Commissioner John Dottmeier argued a power threshold is a reliable tripwire: "If you draw them more than this much power, you gotta come ask permission," he said, urging a megawatt-based trigger to prevent disguised conversions of existing buildings.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing. The commission approved the amendments (motion carried 7–0) and directed staff to bring refined language back as needed, including an AI/data-service definition and edits to the cryptocurrency-mining definition to avoid inadvertently excluding intermittent miners.
Staff presenter Matt Steer said the change is proactive, intended "to responsibly regulate the use and potential impacts of these proposed uses on the city's infrastructure and surrounding properties," and is not in response to a specific application in Coppell. Under the revised code, data centers and crypto facilities will be defined as distinct land uses and routed through the SUP review process so council can weigh community impacts.
The SUP workflow described by staff begins with an internal Development Review Committee review, public notice mailed to property owners within 200 feet per state law and (as a courtesy) to owners within 800 feet, a public hearing before the Planning & Zoning Commission and a council decision. Steer noted council approval can be by simple majority except when property owners representing 20% or more of the land area within 200 feet oppose the request, which would require a 6-of-7 supermajority at council.
Commissioners asked staff to add performance metrics and tripwires — including power-consumption thresholds and generator/use criteria — so the ordinance will capture uses that have small footprints but very large energy demands. Commissioner John Dottmeier argued a power threshold is a reliable tripwire: "If you draw them more than this much power, you gotta come ask permission," he said, urging a megawatt-based trigger to prevent disguised conversions of existing buildings.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing. The commission approved the amendments (motion carried 7–0) and directed staff to bring refined language back as needed, including an AI/data-service definition and edits to the cryptocurrency-mining definition to avoid inadvertently excluding intermittent miners.
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