The Data Center Near Keller: What Homeowners Should Know

A proposed data center in Westlake, near the Keller city line and Marshall Ridge, has raised questions among nearby homeowners. Although the project is not within Keller, its proximity makes it relevant to residents who live nearby.

Here are the key things homeowners should know.

📍 Where is it?

The proposed Circle T Data Center is located near U.S. 377 and Westport Parkway in Westlake, along the Keller border. The submitted site plan covers approximately 87.96 acres and includes about 3.83 million square feet of total planned development. Within that plan, the proposed data center campus consists of four buildings totaling approximately 1.1 million square feet. 

The site plan was approved by Westlake's Planning & Zoning Commission on August 4, 2026, but the project's broader approval remains unresolved amid an ongoing legal challenge. 

Westlake has identified the closest Keller residence at approximately 506 feet from the proposed building line.

💧 Water: How much will it use?

Data centers can require water for cooling, depending on the technology used. However, a project-specific daily water-use figure has not been publicly verified, so it would be premature to say how the facility will affect local water demand.

Homeowners should ask:

How much water will the facility use, what cooling system will it use, and who will be responsible for any additional water infrastructure?

⚡ Electricity & Utility Costs

Data centers can require significant amounts of electricity. Texas has taken steps to prevent residential ratepayers from being left with the infrastructure costs needed to serve large data centers. State officials have directed regulators to require large data centers to bear those infrastructure costs.

That doesn't mean homeowners' electric bills will automatically increase—or decrease—because of this project. The important thing is understanding how the facility will be connected to the grid and how its infrastructure will be funded.

🔊 Noise & Quality of Life

Cooling equipment, fans and backup generators can create ongoing noise at data centers.

For this project, Westlake's information includes noise limits and planned landscaping/buffering along the residential side. The closest homes are an important consideration, so homeowners should pay attention to actual nighttime noise levels and how compliance will be monitored once the facility operates.

🏡 Could It Affect Home Values?

It's too early to say.

Research on data centers and nearby home values has produced mixed results. For nearby homeowners, factors such as distance, noise, views, privacy, landscaping and the final design could influence how buyers perceive properties.

Rather than assuming values will rise or fall, homeowners should watch actual local sales data as the project progresses.

🌱 What About the Environment?

A data center does not automatically mean soil, water or air contamination. However, large construction projects can create erosion and stormwater runoff, which are regulated through federal and Texas environmental requirements. Backup generators can also produce emissions when operating.

What Should Homeowners Do?

Focus on what you can measure today.

Keep track of your property's current:

• Water and electricity usage

• Noise conditions

• Views and privacy

• Drainage

• Property value and comparable sales

Look for specific information on water use, electricity demand, noise levels, setbacks, and environmental protections from officials and developers.

The Bottom Line

The proposed data center is a significant development near Keller, but many project-specific impacts are still uncertain.

If the project proceeds, nearby homeowners could experience changes related to noise, utilities, traffic, views, privacy, and surrounding development.

Knowing what is being proposed now can help homeowners understand what to watch for and make informed decisions about their property.

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Sources: Town of Westlake, City of Keller, Texas Governor's Office, ERCOT/PUCT, U.S. EPA, U.S. Department of Energy, Texas Legislative Reference Library, and local reporting from NBC 5, CBS Texas, and Fort Worth Report/KERA.