Dozens of Brownsville residents urge ban on data centers, cite water and health concerns

Dozens of residents used three‑minute public comment slots to press the commission to block data centers. "I was gaslit, lied to, and basically treated like garbage," Yolanda Spies told the commission during public comment about prior city responses; she linked that distrust to the current data‑center debate.

Other speakers laid out scientific, economic and local examples: Nancy Cruz (Valley Interfaith) said data centers "require millions of gallons of water daily to cool their equipment" and warned that a facility could strain local water supplies and raise household utility costs. Community organizers from Ground Game, the UTRGV College Democrats and environmental groups urged a moratorium and stronger UDC limits; several speakers demanded transparency and opposed nondisclosure agreements with developers. Commissioners responded by confirming staff would seek public hearings on a moratorium and the UDC amendments.

The public comments shaped the meeting's tone: multiple speakers asked the commission to adopt at least a one‑year moratorium while staff develops UDC controls; several asked for a permanent ban if the city cannot secure strict environmental or financial protections.