2026-027 - Amendments to Exhibit 9B, Zoning Ordinance, addition of Section 31, Data Center, to establish regulations governing Data Center Facilities

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WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish clear and predictable zoning, development, and operational standards that encourage responsible investment while providing an efficient and consistent review process for Data Center development within the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the adoption of specialized development standards through the Data Center Development Standards Manual (DSM -002) will provide technical guidance and administrative procedures that may be updated as technology and industry practices evolve without requiring frequent amendments to the Zoning Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the City Council further finds that Data Center development requires coordinated review among multiple City departments and utility providers to ensure adequate infrastructure capacity, public safety, emergency access, engineering coordination, and long-term operational compatibility; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend the Official Land Use Matrix to establish appropriate zoning classifications and approval procedures for various categories of Data Center development, including the use classifications of Permitted with Standards (P*) and Specific Use Permit with Standards (SUP*), thereby providing a flexible regulatory framework that may be applied to specialized land uses requiring supplemental development standards; and WHEREAS, on July 23, 2026, following notice and publication as required by law, the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the City Zoning Ordinance, and following said hearing, made formal recommendation to the City Council to approve the requested amendments; and WHEREAS, on July 27, 2026, following notice and publication as required by law, the City Council of the City of Paris conducted a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the City Zoning Ordinance and the City Code of Ordinances, and having considered the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the testimony and evidence introduced at said public hearing, found and determined that approving the aforesaid amendments would be consistent with the City Zoning Ordinance and the City Code of Ordinances, and in the best interests of the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Paris by a vote of 4 ayes and 1 nays. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS: Page 2 of 25