November 6, 2025 Special Called Workshop

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The Hood County Commissioner's Court convened as a special called workshop on November 6, 2025, to address multiple large-scale development projects—including data centers, battery storage facilities, and power plants—proposed for the county, with particular focus on a 721-acre Sailfish Investors project and Pacific Hill development. Public speakers, including residents, developers, and subject matter experts, presented perspectives on project scale, environmental impacts, water quality, traffic, security concerns, and quality-of-life issues, with several speakers advocating for stricter county regulations under Texas Government Code Chapter 231. The commissioners discussed the county's legal authority to regulate development, watershed protection, and the need for specialized legal counsel, and announced plans to hire the Bracewell firm to draft policies and negotiate with developers. The workshop was adjourned with plans for additional sessions to continue deliberations on development standards and regulatory frameworks.

• Fire marshal safety briefingThe fire marshal addressed overcapacity in the meeting room and directed attendees to emergency exits.
• Call to order and invocationsThe Commissioner's Court of Hood County convened as a special called workshop on November 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the emergency operations center at 401 Deputy Larry Miller Drive in Granberry, Texas.
• Public participation procedures and agenda overviewPublic speakers were limited to 2.5 minutes each; the first agenda item focused on known and potential development projects related to solar, battery storage, AI, and industrial development in Hood County.
• Commissioner Samuelson introduction of development projectsCommissioner Samuelson presented a map of multiple battery energy storage, solar, and AI projects coming to Hood County, particularly in Precinct 2, and explained the county's attractiveness for such development.
• Sailfish Investors project presentation by Ryan HughesRyan Hughes presented a 721-acre collocated data center and natural gas power plant project on the Sidebar Ranch near Highway 51, planned to begin construction mid-2027.
• Community member Brian Glenn support with environmental concernsBrian Glenn, a property owner with wildlife exemption, expressed qualified support for development while voicing concerns about noise and animal disturbance.
• David Freeman presentation as gas power plant lead developerDavid Freeman, lead developer of the gas-fired power plant component, emphasized respect for community concerns and the multi-layered regulatory process ahead.
• Community member Peter Brown detailed concerns about impactsPeter Brown, a Brushy Road resident, raised comprehensive questions about project scale, environmental impacts, employment, and fire protection.
• Kirk Chesky architect analysis and scale concernsKirk Chesky, a licensed architect with 42 years of experience and top 2% national recognition, testified about the massive scale of the Comanche Circle development and associated risks.
• Ryan Hughes response on scale and current plansRyan Hughes clarified that the 2600-acre magazine article does not reflect current plans and reiterated focus on initial 721-acre development phase.
• Richard Hayes data center expertise and tax impact analysisRichard Hayes, a Coca-Cola data center expert of 32 years, explained the county's attractiveness to data centers and projected substantial tax base increase.
• Karen Clark and Greg HarrellKaren Clark passed her speaking time. Greg Harrell, Hood County Republican Chairman, testified about the "rush" to develop data centers driven by the AI race and the need for regulatory tools.
• Ericio testimony about neighboring impacts and media attentionEricio, a television show creator of Snowfall on FX and resident of Comp Plantation, discussed his family's quality-of-life concerns and intention to raise public awareness through media.
• Steve Kirk construction traffic and security concernsSteve Kirk, a retired Navy pilot, retired Southwest Airlines pilot, and retired Homeland Security official, raised concerns about construction traffic blocking his driveway and identified data centers as new terrorist targets.
• Security perimeter and lighting concernsA speaker raised questions about security infrastructure and lighting requirements that extend beyond building footprints for data center projects.
• County identity and fair share concernsA speaker expressed concern about Hood County losing its identity to multiple AI data center developments and questioned whether the county should limit such projects.
• Shannon Newton—data center impacts on health, environment, and watershedShannon Newton, a 25-year resident of Coleman Ranch Road in Toller, opposed data centers and power plants, citing environmental damage and lack of community support.
• John Highmith—developer advisory board and community buy-inJohn Highmith, located 200 yards from the proposed Pacific Co data center in Granberry, proposed that an advisory board develop a list of mitigation requirements to secure public buy-in.
• Cindy Highmith—Rain Lily and Lydian wind/solar projectsCindy Highmith raised concerns about federal policy changes under the Trump administration affecting wind and solar projects, expressing worry about land availability for data centers.
• Stargate data center visit and drone footage presentationA commissioner and staff visited Taylor County to view the Stargate data center and presented drone footage showing the scale of the facility.
• Item 2—Hood County Development Regulations and Chapter 231 discussion beginsThe meeting moved to the second agenda item regarding draft additions to Hood County Development Regulations incorporating Texas Government Code provisions.
• Ryan Hughes—subsection K history, water quality districts, and road corridorsRyan Hughes, a developer, explained the legislative history of subsection K and his intentional site selection to avoid water quality districts and align with existing road corridors.
• Brian Glenn—unincorporated county protection and development commission needBrian Glenn, located on MacArthur Court near 700 acres of potential development, advocated for a development commission and strict regulation of unincorporated areas.
• Debbie Wallace—protection of rural Hood County and water concernsDebbie Wallace, living near Sidebar Ranch on 12 acres, opposed the development citing threats to property values, water resources, and school bus safety.
• Kirk Sesi—water quality districts, runoff testing, and developer experienceKirk Sesi, a resident familiar with data center developers, emphasized the need for comprehensive development standards and questioned developer experience.
• Richard H (Granberry planning and zoning veteran)—zoning concepts and buffersRichard H, a six-year member of Granberry's planning and zoning commission, recommended applying proven city zoning concepts such as separation, setbacks, lighting control, and landscaping buffers to rural development.
• Brian Crawford—subsection K statute and legal obligationsBrian Crawford, from Glenrose, argued commissioners have a legal obligation to use subsection K to protect public health and safety, citing potential negligence and the Wolf Hollow precedent.
• Brian Flint—preserving legacy and natural characterBrian Flint, living approximately 800 yards from a TCEQ air quality permit site, urged commissioners to preserve Hood County's beauty and recreation for future generations.
• Amy Flint—elected official responsibility and subchapter K authorityAmy Flint urged commissioners to use their elected authority to represent residents' wishes and enforce strict standards through subchapter K without relying on tax abatements.
• Environmental and regulatory concerns regarding industrial developmentMark Lowry spoke about environmental safeguards and the need for county oversight of industrial growth, citing historical lessons from agricultural chemical exposure and invoking subchapter K authority.
• Pacific Hill development overview and commitment to community concernsKevin Pratt from Pacific Hill introduced a power plant with data center campus development south of Pon Plantation and described efforts to minimize light, noise, and other community impacts.
• Property ownership history and opposition to project impactsTerry McIntyre, whose family owned property in Butchy area since the 1850s, opposed the proposed projects based on concerns about noise, air quality, water quality, and historical precedent.
• Landscape architect assessment of environmental and regulatory gapsJason Hodes, a seventh-generation Texan and landscape architect with five generations in Hood County, expressed concerns about noise, light, air quality, wildlife, and water impacts, urging the creation of a county commission to address the issues.
• Community impacts on children and river recreation and paleontological concernsAshley Pool, a Hood County resident and former foster parent, expressed concerns about contaminated water, light pollution, noise pollution, and the need to protect dinosaur tracks in the Puxy River.
• Non-disclosure agreements and community engagement concernsMonica Brown raised concerns about non-disclosure agreements already signed, inadequate technical infrastructure for the meeting, and broader community issues.
• Data center industry expertise and project viability assessmentA former Granberry resident and data center designer offered technical expertise, noting the project received approximately 79 out of 100 for site suitability but lacks financial payback for the physical location.
• Workshop logistics and next steps for county commission actionCounty officials announced the current workshop was the beginning of a series, with plans for longer future sessions and hiring legal counsel to develop policies and negotiate with developers.
• Venue offer and subsequent developer and expert availabilityClint offered the Pugsy Tabernacle as a venue for future workshops, and developer and expert representatives confirmed availability to answer questions.
• Request for evening workshop sessions to increase accessibilityAn attendee requested evening workshop sessions to accommodate citizens who work and attend school during daytime hours.
• Full personal disclosure and subchapter K regulatory framework discussionClint provided detailed explanation of subchapter K authority, historical origins, and limitations in Hood County's regulatory powers regarding development oversight.
• State law limitations on county authority regarding building size and enforcementDiscussion clarified that counties cannot set building size restrictions and that enforcement limitations are tied to state-granted authority versus state regulation.
• Subchapter K applicability scope and coordination requirements with municipalitiesDiscussion clarified that subchapter K applies to all unincorporated county areas and requires coordination with comprehensive plans of incorporated municipalities.
• Statutory conflict resolution allowing stricter county standardsDiscussion confirmed that subchapter K section 231 allows county standards to override state law when the county standard is stricter or higher.
• Hiring Bracewell firm for legal representation and policy developmentCounty officials announced plans to hire the Bracewell firm to represent the county in drafting policies, guidelines, and negotiating agreements with developers.
• Engagement agreement for legal counselCommissioners received a draft engagement agreement from selected legal counsel to be voted on Wednesday.
• Watershed protection and development regulation authorityDiscussion of county authority to regulate development and protect watersheds under state law, with reference to population density controls and subdivision limitations.
• 1999 water protection law and prior development incentivesDeveloper explained the 25-year history of county policy using the 1999 law to designate development areas and protect watersheds.
• Developer investment and retroactive application concernsDeveloper expressed concern about retroactive application of watershed restrictions to their selected site after financial commitment.
• County authority to revisit prior policy decisionsCounty official responded that commissioners are not legally bound by prior commissioners' decisions and retain authority to revisit regulations.
• Balancing tax revenue and quality of life concernsCommissioner discussed balancing potential tax revenue benefits against concerns about impacts to property owners and quality of life.
• Water sourcing and cooling system detailsDeveloper clarified water sourcing for the data center, explaining use of existing surface water rights rather than groundwater from the Trinity aquifer.
• Closed-loop cooling system and water permittingDeveloper confirmed use of surface water in a closed-loop cooling system and acknowledged uncertainty about TCEQ permitting requirements.
• Legal review of water district boundaries and regulationsCounty official acknowledged need for specialized legal counsel to review water district definitions and regulatory authority established 25 years prior.
• Workshop adjournment and continuation of discussionThe workshop was adjourned with developers invited to remain for continued civil discussion with community members.