The Lubbock City Council will take public comment Tuesday afternoon on whether to put a 90-day pause on new applications for big data centers. If you’ve followed this story since the summer, this is one of the few remaining chances to speak to the council directly before it votes.
The council’s Nov. 10 agenda lists a public hearing at its 2 p.m. session in Citizens Tower, 1314 Avenue K. The item would consider a 90-day moratorium on accepting, processing and approving new applications for rezoning, permits or annexation tied to large-scale data centers, under Chapter 212, Subchapter E, of the Texas Local Government Code. The hearing date and time match the city’s published public notice.
How we got here
On Sept. 22, the council voted 5-2 to start the state-law process for a 90-day moratorium, KTTZ reported. Council members Tim Collins and Tim Green voted no. That same day, the 18-month pause sought by the citizen group Save Lubbock died without a second. Save Lubbock organizer Stephen Sanders told KTTZ the group still “got the result that we needed.”
Before the moratorium can take effect, it needs two public hearings, KTTZ reported. After it takes effect, it can be extended for another 90 days.
On a separate track, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 on Nov. 5 to recommend new zoning standards for large-scale data centers, and the council is expected to take those up Dec. 1. Our story on that vote explains what those rules would and wouldn’t do.
What council members have said
Collins told KTTZ in September that he supports a moratorium but worried about timing with the next legislative session, calling it the city’s “one tool” and warning that using it now could leave Lubbock “out of the game” by June. Green argued a large data center could be “a transformational opportunity” for the city’s tax base. Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Jennifer Wilson said the pause would give the city time to set standards, adding, “I do want Lubbock to be open to business, but not at any cost.” Mayor Mark McBrayer said he doesn’t believe a moratorium will cost the city any project he knows of.
Meanwhile, a Texas Tech energy commerce professor, Kassandra McQuillen, said Friday she doesn’t expect a hyperscale data center to land in Lubbock, pointing to water access and annexation as hurdles, Lubbock Lights reported.
How to weigh in
- In person: Fill out the sign-up form at the meeting no later than 2 p.m. Tuesday, according to the agenda’s citizen comment rules.
- In writing: The city’s notice says written comments can be mailed to the City Secretary, P.O. Box 2000, Lubbock, TX 79457, before the hearing.
- Need help attending? Call the City Secretary’s Office at 806-775-2061 at least 48 hours ahead, the agenda says.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda
- Alleys paved by petition (item 6.2): Second reading of the ordinance that would let property owners petition the city to pave an unpaved alley, at the cost of the owners along it. Background in our Nov. 3 council preview.
- Highland Oaks Public Improvement District (6.3 and 6.4): A first reading to find the existing assessment excessive and rescind it, plus a resolution on a new method of assessment that calls a public hearing for Dec. 1.
- Airport: A new passenger airline operating agreement and terminal lease with American Airlines at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, plus contracts for runway and taxiway painting and vehicle transponders (consent items 5.12–5.14).
- Streets and water: A contract with Allen Butler Construction for curb, gutter and asphalt on unpaved roads under the 2022 street bond (5.6), Reese waterline improvements (5.8) and electrical replacement at the Southeast Water Reclamation Plant (5.7).
- Police: Accepting a Governor’s Peace Officer Mental Health Program grant for Lubbock Police Department officers’ mental health and wellness (5.17).
- Executive session, 1:30 p.m.: The council will meet privately with legal counsel and on real property matters, both listed under “Pickering Park.” The agenda gives no other detail.
Consent items are usually approved in one vote unless a council member pulls one for discussion. Our data center explainer has more on the history of the issue, and we’ll report what happens Tuesday.
What’s next
Dec. 1 is shaping up to be a big meeting: the council is set to consider the P&Z-recommended data center zoning rules and hold the Highland Oaks public hearing that day. Hub City UnCovered is seeking comment from the City of Lubbock on the hearing schedule and will update this story.
Sources
- City of Lubbock, Nov. 10, 2026 City Council agenda: https://www.mylubbock.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11102026-295
- City of Lubbock public hearing notice (via NoticeRegistry): https://www.noticeregistry.com/texas/notice/public-hearing-lubbock-963236
- KTTZ, Samantha Larned, Sept. 23, 2026: https://radio.kttz.org/2026-09-23/lubbock-takes-first-step-toward-data-center-moratorium-questions-remain-with-approaching-legislative-session
- Lubbock Lights, Benji Snead, Nov. 6, 2026: https://lubbocklights.com/texas-tech-professor-doubts-lubbock-will-land-a-hyperscale-data-center/
- Hub City UnCovered, P&Z data center vote: https://hubcityuncovered.com/lubbock-pz-recommends-data-center-rules-city-council-nov-5-2026/
