[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6512759,"mediaKeyId","5091779-d193865c651101328fdacb4edf24240f","parentId",5091779,"title","Taylor council hears neighborhood concerns after introduction of employment‑center plan for 1601 MLK Blvd","audioSeconds",1912,"startMs",866000,"endMs",2778000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091779-d193865c651101328fdacb4edf24240f&start=866&end=2778","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091779-d193865c651101328fdacb4edf24240f/thumbnail_866000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6512759/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Taylor-council-hears-neighborhood-concerns-after-introduction-of-employmentcenter-plan-for-1601-MLK-Blvd","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512759-5ca30e1c5dc3cccbf27b2ff5627e2e21/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445509&Signature=GKiM1o134pMFlIUUTJStw4oeEa6tHP9~wCNrLaB9f6aKKFE~EZgdlUneZBODMlBqhN2tXWhXJ3T0UcIVurzd3T~fTpbHhYmX7sJKf2Ng0XF4WvGLoMkvIR7sJ1ydcdF91R1mL0xvKvxdOeP06PlcqBNY9insllvVna~j7OtCRFXPsBOy3B1wiP1mVWLMV2oRXfUrTQeKRhTXl6W9Igiotl~UPxjd4efRlLkIxeZHwgGZ2LvmldvzVMHPMwm4GSf14vM1-Z8BCoYCdIO84YQsc3CbFgL3MxUyIbyvGlamyK7fSmsLZ64MJYy8slk2YTTRLmHksM8nJYx5M-X6gJ1xhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Taylor","date","2025-06-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Taylor City Council on June 26 opened a public hearing and introduced Ordinance 2025‑17, an employment‑center plan for a roughly 52.42‑acre site at 1601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard proposed for data‑center development.

Neighbors and community members urged the council to delay final action and to hold a neighborhood meeting. Speakers raised concerns about notification of nearby residents, potential impacts on water supplies and fire response, noise and air quality, and the concentration of industrial projects in historically Black and Brown neighborhoods on Taylor’s south side.

Planning staff said the site is zoned for an employment center and that the city’s comprehensive plan marks the area for employment use; staff also noted a required design warrant for an eight‑foot screening wall. Miss Roost, a city planning staff presenter, said 13 notices were sent and that the code requires an employment center plan because of the existing zoning. \"There is a civic space or open space between the neighborhood and the employment center plan,\" Roost said, and she confirmed the screening wall is intended for security and screening.

Multiple residents said they received no notice or only learned of the proposal the night before the meeting. Pam Griffin said nobody on her street got a notice and urged the council to oppose placing the facility behind her home. Sarah Winters asked for clear public answers about environmental review, oversight, and coordination with the fire department for lithium‑ion battery fires or chemical leaks. Teresa Bogar stressed water availability as a regional planning issue and warned residents could face higher bills if the city does not fully evaluate long‑term water impacts.

Several speakers requested an independent environmental impact study and noise mapping. Tim McGinnis said he wants an engineering study to quantify impacts including decibel levels at homes. Nakivia Miller, who said she grew up in the neighborhood, asked whether the city has environmental staff and urged consideration of long‑term soil and water risks from battery leaks.

Representatives for Blueprint Data Centers responded at the hearing. Jared Jacob, identified as leading the project team, said the company plans a closed‑loop cooling system and has not requested a large water connection. \"We have clarified we will not be a water user of a data center. It has always been closed loop from day 1,\" Jacob said. He added there will be no on‑site generation and the facility would connect to the electrical grid. Jacob said the company seeks to be a community partner and that the project would create property tax revenue and indirect job opportunities for adjacent industries.

Council members who spoke expressed support for holding an informational meeting in the nearby neighborhood before a second reading of the ordinance. Councilmember Cobb (identified in the meeting as Miss Cobb) and others said they want detailed information on noise mitigation, firefighting preparedness for battery incidents, and the specific technical approach for this site. Several councilmembers said they were surprised residents had not been broadly notified beyond the 200‑foot statutory notice area and recommended a community meeting at the Dickie Givens Center near the site so affected residents can attend.

The public hearing was closed and the city attorney read Ordinance 2025‑17 for introduction. At the time of introduction, council did not take a final vote on zoning or approval of the employment‑center plan; staff and council said they will compile the questions raised at the meeting and present answers prior to any subsequent action. The mayor asked staff to document citizen questions on video and to prepare materials for a neighborhood meeting.

The council did not vote to approve or deny the employment center plan at the June 26 meeting; the action taken was to hold the public hearing and introduce the ordinance as a first reading.

A schedule for follow‑up meetings and materials to be provided to the neighborhood was not specified at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Taylor - City Council - Jun 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Taylor City Council on June 26 opened a public hearing and introduced Ordinance 2025‑17, an employment‑center plan for a roughly 52.42‑acre site at 1601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard proposed for data‑center development.","taxTitle","Taylor, Williamson County, Texas","taxId",56865,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6512749,"Votes at a glance: Taylor City Council actions on June 26, 2025",4052,804000,4856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091779-d193865c651101328fdacb4edf24240f&start=804&end=4856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091779-d193865c651101328fdacb4edf24240f/thumbnail_804000.jpg","/articles/6512749/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Taylor-City-Council-actions-on-June-26-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512749-54f2de4334a4eb8f848a8d6828d88655/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445509&Signature=jaRLhe41QQ8lo9iEQr3KwK4tm-h2cAb3lGW2bvT5nMPRgq3KiLhjsfh1DCA4aP~Tl4ZnpnM5IDgny-smw~dGMAQvA5Y6~ikWvOOCgFvTrXLl2XxLro9JxXAbwyi1LNz1LfDsglB13Rg8aIHriuFL4WxCWJLqSEyEyWT41PfQmAevKTOwmcxxb1r9z7KOVlAyRO68r00Vrv09P0gg3qa0CIet-1cM8l7wNLfMGKoAawDBzyc1URejjqk2OaWaQ9UUCGZLcmYgeEhrHcUFaDXHLjAUfZS5QQw0HouG3J4ushLQwc7r-pHM-hq9mxnA9oAOQgA9rKgPYE9HHZxJtCXTvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its June 26 meeting the Taylor City Council took multiple formal votes and procedural actions. Below is a concise list of those outcomes and key details recorded at the meeting.

• Consent agenda — Approved unanimously. The consent agenda covered routine items; any individual item could have been pulled for separate consideration.

• Item 9 — Special Use Permit (SUP) for lodging without a full‑time on‑site operator, 2112 West Lake Drive: Approved (motion to approve made and seconded; outcome recorded as unanimous). The applicant, Christian West, said the property will be operated as a short‑term rental with a maximum occupancy of eight and that the owner is willing to work with neighbors to mitigate concerns (PNC had recommended postponement previously to allow neighbor discussion about lighting). Council approved the SUP with the applicant present and willing to address neighbor concerns.

• Item 10 — Ordinance 2025‑20: Authorization to issue combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation, Series 2025, not to exceed $13,000,000: Approved unanimously. City financial advisor Jennifer Ritter reported a competitive sale produced strong market interest (nine bids) and a winning bid with an effective interest rate about 4.26–4.27%; proceeds were allocated in the presentation as approximately $8,000,000 for tax‑supported projects and $5,000,000 for utility projects. Closing was scheduled for July 23 if council approved issuance.

• Item 11 — Resolution R25‑16: Water CCN service area transfer agreement with Jonah Water Supply Corporation to transfer the portion of the CCN in Samsung to the city of Taylor: Approved unanimously. Staff said Samsung, the city and Jonah have agreed to transfer that CCN area so the city will be able to serve Samsung’s water needs; the agreed petition will be submitted to TCEQ for approval.

• Item 12 — Muscovy duck presentation and direction to staff: Council unanimously received the presentation and directed staff to evaluate both recommended options (egg addling and trapping/euthanasia), prepare pros/cons and cost estimates, and return with a proposed implementation and communications plan.

Other procedural items: Ordinance 2025‑17 (introduction of the employment‑center plan for 1601 MLK Blvd) and Ordinance 2025‑18 (place type amendment at 3601 East Fourth Street) were introduced and read during public hearings; council did not record final votes on those items at the June 26 meeting and asked staff to return with additional information or schedule subsequent action as needed.

Votes recorded at the meeting were unanimous where tallies were provided; motions and seconds were recorded on the public record for the SUP, certificates of obligation and water CCN resolution.","Council approved several routine and specific actions including a special‑use permit for lodging, a $13 million certificates of obligation issuance, and a water CCN transfer to serve Samsung; council also approved directing staff to study Muscovy duck mitigation options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6512754,"Taylor staff to study options to curb Muscovy duck overpopulation after residents’ complaints",794,2795000,3589000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091779-d193865c651101328fdacb4edf24240f&start=2795&end=3589","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091779-d193865c651101328fdacb4edf24240f/thumbnail_2795000.jpg","/articles/6512754/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Taylor-staff-to-study-options-to-curb-Muscovy-duck-overpopulation-after-residents-complaints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512754-c104b2436fac3a1974f2eeef8d7373c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445509&Signature=HmRAeyFJcv3i6IQK8MZw6CfEikdnlegmjnaltyCp2YBq3~pkyjWZIxTcwA9zSue10MHiuSNGVlBen-nlzDegduPp8cC73jgB4nwTWKDT3793k1fx50Ox22DsLKSaldToh-tNYhDSlqBMj6q2p8GaGuJoI7NEbq7uuHcXnteXbHekQVPk5Pk8d99hKj8~pb9hIzipqQOMxrDvPioCLnpcxq7t2rUZtI6ANwce~cdrw9uGqtRwDTE7SO8YqXjrS491L~lxRoBfPzTrPzLUSDCyqiDQAtVmhx0od-DBwi1BFG4na5AU0ZSjBfKomN9dHjWvgICwGcBf4Kivq~vmr8CNDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Taylor City Council on June 26 that Muscovy ducks have become overpopulated in and around Murphy and Bull Branch parks and are moving into nearby neighborhoods, creating property damage, aggressive behavior and public‑health concerns.

Parks and recreation staff presented two primary management options: (1) a humane egg‑addling program to reduce future hatchlings (leave a few viable eggs so the hen does not re‑nest, then addle a portion of the clutch) and (2) trapping and euthanasia conducted by a licensed wildlife contractor. Staff said the Muscovy ducks are non‑native, can breed multiple times yearly, and that state wildlife agencies will not accept or relocate Muscovies because they are invasive.

Parks staff recommended starting with option 1 (egg addling) on city property and working with a certified wildlife company experienced with Muscovy management. Staff also proposed targeted outreach and education to stop feeding ducks in parks and private yards, signage in parks, door‑hangars to neighbors, and a communication plan. Jackie Krueger, a longtime resident who provided photographs and a petition, described feces on public tables and sidewalks and listed disease risks she said were associated with the ducks.

Councilmembers expressed urgency. Several members said they wanted quick action and asked staff to bring back a report with costs, pros and cons and examples of how other cities (such as Pearland and Sugar Land) have handled Muscovy outbreaks. Council directed staff to evaluate both options and return with a recommended plan and cost estimates for the upcoming budget process; the motion to receive the presentation and direct staff to report back passed unanimously.

Staff said enforcement of a no‑feeding rule on private property would be difficult and would likely rely first on education; council asked staff to review local ordinances in other nearby towns (council cited Salado) and to prepare draft language and an implementation approach. The council asked staff to include an outreach plan to identify households supplying food and habitat and to consider whether the city could provide addling services on private properties at owners’ request.

No immediate trapping or euthanasia action was authorized; staff will return with further detail and cost estimates for both egg addling and trapping/euthanasia options.","Parks staff presented options to reduce Muscovy duck numbers in Taylor parks and neighborhoods; council directed staff to return with costs and pros/cons for egg addling and for trapping/euthanasia and to explore outreach and anti‑feeding measures.","actionData","errors"]

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Taylor council hears neighborhood concerns after introduction of employment‑center plan for 1601 MLK Blvd

Votes at a glance: Taylor City Council actions on June 26, 2025

Taylor staff to study options to curb Muscovy duck overpopulation after residents’ complaints