Round Rock City Council Packet Briefing - February 10, 2026

The Round Rock City Council held a packet briefing on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 7:30 AM in the City Council Chambers. Mayor Pro Tem Kristin Stevens presided in Mayor Craig Morgan's absence. The meeting primarily served as a preparatory session for the upcoming February 12, 2026 City Council meeting, with staff briefings and council discussion on agenda items including multiple resolutions, two zoning ordinances, and a quarterly update from the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gary Old (2928 Clinton Place, Round Rock; Protect Round Rock) spoke in opposition to the Skybox data center proposal (Agenda Item G2). He submitted a packet containing a low-frequency noise study conducted at existing data centers in Round Rock and Pflugerville, and a baseline measurement at the subject property. He argued that city officials have relied too heavily on staff and corporate outsiders, and that residents have conducted independent research. He requested the Council reject the Skybox proposal, enact a citywide moratorium on new data center rezoning and construction, and pause existing projects until community-first safeguards and a data center-specific zoning category are established. He noted that New Orleans has enacted a one-year moratorium and Georgia is considering similar action, and expressed concern that survey stakes and utility flags have already been placed on the property before a public hearing.
• Adrian Shelley (15601 Leona Cove, Austin, Texas; Texas Director of Public Citizen) spoke in opposition to the Skybox data center. He stated that data centers should not be located near residential communities due to noise and high resource consumption (electricity and water). He acknowledged the city's transparency efforts (public information, invitation-only meeting) but urged the Council to reject this specific proposal and, more broadly, to develop a permanent solution such as a model ordinance addressing setbacks, noise, diesel generator use, and water consumption. He noted that Hood County was considering a moratorium that same morning.

Discussion Items

• D.1 Staff Briefing (February 12, 2026 Council Agenda Overview): No consent agenda was identified. The briefing covered all resolutions and ordinances listed for the February 12 meeting. Council members asked questions on multiple items.
• F.1 – Supplemental Contract for Sandbass and Harry Man Road Intersection Improvements: Staff presented a $198,000 supplemental contract with American Structure Point Inc. for design of a roundabout at Harryman Road and Sandbass. The project follows a positive public meeting in 2024. Construction is estimated at $2 million, with bidding in fall 2026 and completion by fall 2027. Councilmember Ortega expressed a personal dislike of roundabouts but asked why a roundabout was chosen over a traffic signal. Staff responded that roundabouts are more effective for continuous traffic flow given the intersection's geometry and limited ability to add turn lanes. Councilmember Stevens requested coordination with nearby Chisholm Trail and Wyoming Springs projects and school calendar impacts.
• F.2 – Supplemental Contract for Gaddis School Road Segment 2: Staff presented a $102,000 supplemental contract with Rodriguez Transportation Group for engineering on Gaddis School Road east of Surrey. The segment will be two lanes in each direction with a median, similar to the existing segment. Construction is estimated at $12.5 million, with bidding in spring 2027 and a 20-month construction period. Councilmember Fleming questioned why segment 2 is two lanes while segment 3 is three lanes; staff explained traffic volumes decrease eastward. Councilmember Montgomery asked about restricting left turns from neighborhoods; staff confirmed no changes to current access.
• F.3 & F.4 – Election Services Agreements with Travis County: City Clerk Ann Franklin presented two resolutions: one to engage Travis County to conduct the May 2, 2026 general and special elections, and another to share costs with other entities holding elections on the same date. These are standard agreements; a similar agreement with Williamson County was approved on January 22, 2026.
• F.5 – Quarterly Financial and Investment Report: Kevin reported on the first quarter (ending December 31, 2025) financial report, which will be presented in detail at the February 12 meeting.
• F.6 – Interlocal Agreement with Texas Department of Public Safety for Court Pilot Program: Staff presented a no-cost agreement for the city's court to pilot an electronic felony conviction reporting system. The system is expected to go live in summer 2026. Councilmember Flores asked about the pilot duration; staff indicated the system should be fully operational by summer. Councilmember Montgomery asked about additional workload; staff noted it may speed up processes.
• F.7 – Notice of Intention to Issue Combination Tax and Limited Revenue Certificates of Obligation (Series 2026): Staff presented a resolution authorizing publication of notice of intent to issue $93.1 million in certificates of obligation for capital projects including Phase 2 of the Bob Bennett Public Works Complex, roadway projects (Driving Progress Forward), and supplemental funding for 2023 voter-approved bonds for Fire Station 11, Public Safety Training Center, and Old Settlers Park. The actual issuance is planned for April 23, 2026, along with general obligation bonds and limited tax notes.
• G.1 – Rezoning 0.74 Acres at West Logan Street and Mandel Street: Planning staff (Bradley) presented a request to rezone a vacant 0.74-acre tract from SF-2 (Single Family Standard Lots) to MF-1 (Multifamily Low Density) to allow 6–8 townhomes. The property is near downtown and close to South Mays Street. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously (no public speakers). Council discussed compatibility buffers, proximity to single-family homes, and the site's history. Staff recommends approval.
• G.2 – Skybox Data Center Planned Unit Development (PUD) – Second Reading: This was the most extensively discussed item. Bradley provided a detailed presentation on the proposed 29.69-acre PUD for a data center at East Old Settlers Boulevard near North AW Grimes Boulevard. The property is currently zoned Light Industrial (LI-2). Key features of the PUD include: only one primary data center building (max 250,000 sq ft, 60 ft tall, 75 MW grid-connected power); closed-loop cooling to minimize water use; enhanced landscape buffer with two rows of evergreen trees (4-inch caliper) along the southern property line; 25-foot wide open space buffer and 8-foot compatibility wall; prohibition of a vehicular connection to Chandler View Trail; and restrictions on generator use (only allowed during grid emergencies, not as primary power). Staff noted that the property owner had a prior light industrial warehouse proposal (four buildings, 380,000 sq ft) which was nearing site plan approval. Staff recommended approval. Council members asked questions about: the January 8 community meeting (over 50 attendees), Encore substation requirements, distance from parcel area one to the neighborhood (about 450 feet), water usage (SABI data center uses 2 million gallons/year, equivalent to 15 single-family homes), noise ordinance limitations (A-weighted decibels only, not low-frequency), and the inability to compel the applicant to disclose future tenants. Councilmember Ortega noted that data center customers pay separate rates and do not directly raise residential rates. Staff clarified that the PUD includes stronger standards than the underlying LI district. No council member voiced opposition to the item, but several sought clarifications.
• E.1 – Round Rock Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Update: Jordan presented the update. Highlights included: 2025 scorecard (171 leads, 12 recruitment trips, 56 business retention visits, 4 announced projects); 2026 Q1 activity (20 leads, 7 proposals, 1 announced project – Digital Brands Group relocation from California, 47,000 sq ft, 30 employees); target industries; recruitments efforts including a familiarization tour for site selectors, ongoing work in Korea (Semicon trade show), and potential Japan visits; state grants for local semiconductor companies (Texan PhotoMask $15.2M, ComiCo $2M); Austin Community College and Texas State Technical College grants for semiconductor workforce training; G Beta accelerator cohort results (55 applications, 5 companies, $515K raised by one company, 3 new jobs); launch of Jumpstart pre-accelerator program; Defense Innovation Fund grant ($15K to Atola Tech); Momentum luncheon on March 5 featuring NYSE Texas president; chamber membership at 1,026 (highest ever, 80% retention). Council expressed congratulations and asked about future international focus (Japan, Taiwan, UK).

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken at the packet briefing. All items will be voted on at the February 12, 2026 City Council meeting.
• The Skybox data center PUD (G.2) had first reading approval (7-0) on December 4, 2025; second reading is scheduled for February 12 with a public hearing. Staff recommends approval.
• The rezoning at Logan and Mandel (G.1) also has a public hearing and final vote on February 12; staff recommends approval.
• Resolutions F.1 through F.7 are administrative items expected to be approved.
• The Chamber update was informational; no action required.