The Wichita Falls Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved proposed amendments to city code intended to allow temporary housing for an estimated 7,500 workers expected to build a data center in the area, according to reporting by KFDX/KJTL.
Under the proposed ordinance, sleeping or living in a temporary vehicle such as an RV within city limits would not be allowed unless the vehicle is at an approved location. Approved locations would include manufactured home parks, RV parks, and designated temporary workforce sites. Private landowners would be permitted to lease their land to large corporations to house workers temporarily on a specific construction or industrial project.
Fabian Medellin, the city's director of development services, said the approach is meant to protect the local housing market and that the approvals would not be permanent.
"These approvals are temporary, and they're intended for specific projects that meet certain criteria. And then, once the project is completed, once it's all said and done, there are enforcement actions that we can take in order to ensure that land reverts back to its prior use," Medellin said.
The recommendation will go to the Wichita Falls City Council at the start of June, where councilors will decide whether to adopt the ordinance.