HOUSTON — A data center developer seeking to expand its massive campus in northwest Harris County is asking Houston to remove about 5,200 feet of a planned public road that has been part of the city’s transportation plan for more than four decades.
Serverfarm, the developer of a data center campus in Hockley, wants Houston to remove the planned section of Kermier Road between Becka and Bath roads from the city’s Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan.
The company argues that the planned 100-foot-wide roadway would create an “insurmountable barrier” to expanding and securing its campus.
The Houston Planning Commission discussed the request during its Aug. 20 meeting but did not vote on it. City planning staff said they are continuing to review the proposal with Harris County officials and are considering an updated traffic analysis.
Petra Hsia, a Houston planner, told commissioners that the Kermier Road segment has appeared on the city’s Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan since a 1982 update and on the city’s published map since 1983.
The original plan envisioned a longer road connecting areas around Spring Creek with Houston’s southern extraterritorial jurisdiction west of Katy. Later amendments shortened the proposed corridor.
Serverfarm now wants to expand its campus across part of the planned route. Hsia said the expansion would include additional structures and detention areas.
The company said a public road through the campus would complicate physical connections between facilities and create security concerns.
Serverfarm also argues that existing sections of Warren Ranch and Kickapoo roads could provide alternative regional traffic connections. The company submitted an updated traffic impact analysis to Harris County.
Jennifer Curtis of Meta Planning and Design, which represents the applicant, said discussions with officials remain ongoing.
The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the proposed amendments Sept. 3. Its recommendations will then go to Houston City Council, which is expected to act by the end of September.
Until then, Kermier Road remains part of Houston’s planned transportation network.