Fort Worth City Council Meeting – August 25, 2026: Data Center Site Plan Approved, Settlement for Tatiana Jefferson, and Recognitions
Fort Worth City Council Meeting – August 25, 2026
The Fort Worth City Council met on August 25, 2026, to address a full agenda including consent agenda approvals, public hearings, a contentious zoning case for the Black Mountain Data Center, and several community recognitions. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on data center impacts, budget concerns, and other city issues. Key actions included approval of an $11.25 million settlement for the family of Tatiana Jefferson, approval of a site plan amendment for the Black Mountain Data Center with an increased setback, and approval of multiple public improvement districts and board appointments.
Consent Calendar
- MNC 26-0881 was withdrawn from the consent agenda.
- Settlement for Tatiana Jefferson: The council approved a settlement of $11,250,000 to resolve a lawsuit arising from the fatal shooting of Tatiana Jefferson by a former Fort Worth police officer in 2019. Councilman Chris Nettles noted this was one of the largest settlements in city history and stated it was not a measure of her life's value but a step toward justice. Multiple speakers from the public supported the settlement.
- All other consent items were approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Consent agenda speakers: Adrian Smith and James Smith spoke emotionally about the Tatiana Jefferson settlement, urging approval and expressing frustration with the delay. James Smith detailed his role as a neighbor and advocate.
- Zoning item ZC26-041 (Black Mountain Data Center): Over 40 speakers addressed this item.
- Supporters: Bob Riley (applicant's engineer), Rhett Bennett (developer), and several local residents (e.g., Helen Epps, Robert Epps, Pastor Perry Williams, Zachary Chris, Dwayne Washington) expressed support, citing increased setbacks, reduced building count, community benefits (workforce development, internships, property tax revenue for Everman ISD estimated at $11 million per year), and the fact that the underlying zoning was already approved. Edge Connects (operator) also spoke, pledging community investment.
- Opponents: Numerous residents and activists (e.g., Letitia Wilburn, Bradford Hall, Sue Weston, Jackson Weston, Brian Patman, EJ Carrion, Amon Abraham, Christopher Santos, Lily Boone, and others) requested tabling the vote until the newly formed Data Center Infrastructure Commission (DCIC) could provide recommendations. Concerns included inadequate stormwater and vibration studies, noise, light pollution, water and electricity consumption, health impacts (especially on marginalized communities), and the rushed timeline before the DCIC completes its work. Some speakers accused council members of being influenced by developer donations.
- General public comments: After action items, speakers addressed diverse topics:
- Adrian Smith criticized the city's budget shortfall and called for a new city manager, defunding the police, and restoring remote speaking.
- Kevin Carlson requested a zoning change near his neighborhood due to commercial impacts.
- Chris Wood highlighted predatory towing practices at low-income apartment complexes.
- James Smith advocated for better alley maintenance and reflected on his testimony in the Aaron Dean trial.
- Several speakers (including Letitia Wilburn, George Stiles, Carlos Silva, and Nancy Estrada) criticized council members for disrespecting public participation, alleged corruption, and retaliation against whistleblowers.
- Joey Flores detailed the timeline of the Texas Education Agency's takeover of Fort Worth ISD, arguing it was triggered by a single school's rating.
- Ann Marie and others provided budget analysis, blaming Tarrant Appraisal District for unequal appraisals contributing to the city's $94 million shortfall.
Discussion Items
- Recognitions: The council presented proclamations for Prairie View A&M University's 150th anniversary (with alumni acceptance), the Mayor's High School Art Competition 2026 top three winners (Madeline Wilkinson, Chloe Swinford, Lana Mackie), and Gun Safety Awareness Month, in partnership with Cook Children's Aim for Safety program (which distributed 488 gun safes and 3,523 cable locks in the past year).
- Board appointments: Approved at-large appointments to Community Action Partners and Human Relations Commission, and district appointments to Library Advisory Board (District 4: Marlene Jones; District 11: Tanya Ferguson, replacing Leslie Shields).
- Public hearings: Closed the public hearing and approved 11 public improvement district (PID) items in a single vote (MNC 26-0910 through 26-0927). Also approved MNC 26-0928.
- Zoning item ZC26-041: Staff presentation explained that the request was to amend existing PD 1420 (approved Jan. and Sept. 2025) to add an electrical substation, increase building height from 55 to 70 feet, increase setback from 80 to 150 feet (site plan shows actual buildings at 300+ feet from property line), and reduce parking. Council discussion focused on whether to wait for the DCIC recommendations. Councilmember Mia Hall noted the underlying data center use was already entitled and the site plan offered improvements. Councilmember Michael Crane offered an amendment to increase the minimum setback to 300 feet, which was accepted. The motion to approve the site plan amendment with the amended setback carried.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved including the $11.25 million settlement for Tatiana Jefferson's family.
- Public hearings closed and 11 PID items approved.
- ZC26-041 approved with an amendment requiring a minimum 300-foot building setback from single-family residential, as reflected in the site plan. The addition of an electrical substation, increased height (70 ft), and reduced parking were also approved.
- Council reaffirmed that the Data Center Infrastructure Commission (DCIC) will continue its work and the moratorium on new data center regulations remains in effect, but this project, having prior entitlements, is not subject to future rules.
- Meeting adjourned at 3:37 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Speakers who engage in disruptive conduct could have their mic muted and maybe removed from the chambers and arrested for disruption of a meeting. Disruptive conduct includes yelling, screaming, clapping, or other noise creating acts. For those of you who have requested to speak, when your name is called, please come forward to the center podium. The countdown clock is displayed on the left monitor and we'll indicate how much time is remaining. A bell will sound when you have 30 seconds remaining. Before you begin your comments, please state your name. Thank you. Good morning. I'll call our meeting to order. Turn it back over to Catherine. Today's invocation will be given by Pastor DiMario Lewis. Please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledges of Allegiance. Shall we bow? Our Heavenly Father, we thank you this morning for the city of Fort Worth. We thank you for every leader that stands with us and stands before us. We thank you for our mayor, our city manager, and every city of councilman. And we pray this day that you will continue to give us wisdom to lead, to give courage, to make righteous decisions, and also to give compassion that we may serve the people of this city. That your people have peace, give them clarity of thought in every discussion, unity in every decision, and integrity in every action. Protect our leaders, their families, and everyone in the city of Fort Worth. Bless Fort Worth, and allow us to let everything be done decently and in order. In your name we pray. Amen. And if you all afterwards, if you all are an alumni of the esteemed Prairie View AM University, I would ask you to join us. But whereas Prairie View AM University was established on August 14th, 1876 by the 15th Texas legislator, and it proudly, proudly stands as the second oldest public institution of higher education in the state of Texas, and it's the state's oldest public historically black college and university, or as we affectionately call it, Sarah, and HBCU. And whereas Prairie View AM University was founded by extraordinary leaders and founders, including Matthew Gaines, William Holland, and Walter Burton, whereas Prairie View AM's university university's history is deeply entwined with Fort Worth, because among its distinguished leaders was Isaiah Milligan or I M. Terrell, who led Fort Worth's first public school for African Americans before serving as Prairie View's fifth principal from 1915 to 1918. And whereas the honorable late Rebe Carey, a proud Prairie View alumnus, became the first African American American elected to represent the Fort Worth School Board and later represented Fort Worth's House District 95 in the Texas House of Representative. And there's so much more, because whereas these historical connections underscore Prairie View's lasting impact on the educational, civic, and political legacy of Fort Worth, and over the past 100 years, Prairie View AM University has grown from an initial enrollment of eight, get that, eight students into a globally recognized institution, institution with more than 87,000 thriving alumni. And whereas, true to its enduring motto and core mission, Prairie View AM University consistently excels in producing productive people who lead, serve, and make indelible contributions across Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, and the world, and whereas the year 2026 marks the historical sesquicentennial celebration of Prairie View AM University, offering a momentous occasion to honor its rich legacy of academic excellence, student empowerment, and unyielding path of pride, whereas the Prairie View AM University National Alumni Association, Fort Worth Chapter, is recognized as a partner to 150 years of excellence, purpose, and leadership, therefore, be it resolved that the city of Fort Worth, Texas, hereby recognizes and congratulates Prairie View AM University on its 150th anniversary, commending its profound and lasting impact on higher education and public service. And Madam President, would you please accept this special recognition? Thank you. Thank you, and would be. And would you like so the Prairie View Panthers proudly wear purple and gold? And so, Madam President, would you like to have a few words? Absolutely. Thank you. Good morning, everyone. Mayor Parker, thank you so much for providing us with this opportunity to just say a few words and express our gratitude. On behalf of Prairie View AM University, Fort Worth Alumni Chapter, thank you, Councilwoman Deborah Peoples, and the City of Fort Worth leadership for this meaningful resolution recognizing 150 years of Prairie View AM University history. This honor is more than a milestone. It's a celebration of resilience, excellence, and so meaningful in the Panther City to have all of these Panthers here represented today. The purple and gold that you see here extends to different communities within our city. Purple is royal, gold is resilient. Prairie View has opened its doors of opportunity, empowering generations of African Americans and citizens of all races, races, and nationalities to lead, serve, innovate. We are now established as an R2 university based on the number of doctoral degrees conferred, as well as the research that we do to expand mindsets, expand innovations, and become the leaders that are globally competitive and those that are looked for to intern our students and become the leaders that you see not only sitting on your podiums, but that we educate in our schools today. Here in Fort Worth, our alumni chapter has proudly carried this mission forward for more than 60 years, serving students, supporting scholarships, and mentoring future lead future leaders. We honor distinguished alumni in our communities, such as I am Tarrell and Rebe Carey, and so many others that are with us here today. Our commitment to service and leadership is established by their hard work, and we fight tirelessly to continue in their legacy. As we celebrate this hundred and fifty years, we recommit ourselves to ensuring that every generation has the opportunity to lead, learn, vote, and leave a legacy of excellence. We want to thank you again for this incredible recognition.
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