ATX-PFH: Impact 4/23/2026

Good Morning, Pflugerville & Hutto!

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Zydeco Development withdraws zoning request for data center in Hutto

Hutto city officials announced in a news release April 17 that Zydeco Development, an Austin-based commercial real estate development firm, has withdrawn its request to rezone a parcel of land currently designated for residential uses in order to build a data center.

What you need to know: Per the news release, Zydeco's proposal for the data center at 450 Ed Schmidt Boulevard would have required amendments to Hutto's future land use map and the SOAR 2040 Comprehensive Plan in order to convert the site from being zoned multifamily residential to heavy industrial.

Director of Development Services Howard Koontz formally recommended against approving the request on April 7, per the release.

Those opposed: The data center saw considerable opposition from residents, including Katie Martin, an organizer for the local Stop the Hutto Data Center group. The group held a press conference April 16, citing health, noise, heat, water and power usage concerns with the potential data center.

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On The Business Beat

New dental offices, coffee shop: Check out these 6 Hutto business updates

New businesses to recently open in Hutto include two dental practices, a coffee shop and wood supply store.

Now open

Kids Tooth Team: The practice recently opened a new location on the border of Pflugerville and Hutto. The office provides a full range of dental services, including preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry, crowns, fillings, emergency services, infant dentistry and more. The offices features a play area for children while parents can receive a complimentary drink during their visit.

Opened April 1

Fells Hardwood Supply: The business, owned by David Fells, offers premium woods as well as provides custom work on items such as tables, desks, shelves and countertops. Fells said the company is all about making things with wood more accessible, and he plans to launch a local woodworkers monthly meetup with demonstrations of tools, skills and projects. The business also plans to offer paid classes focused on how to incorporate traditional tools into power tool-based shops.

Opened in April

Williamson County Coverage

WilCo animal shelter receives state recognition for jail rehabilitation program

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter received a Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award for its Leashing Hope program.

Representatives with the shelter highlighted the program’s achievements at a Commissioners Court meeting April 21.

About the program: The Leashing Hope program is a collaboration between the WCRAS and the Bartlett State Jail’s Innovation Unit. It pairs incarcerated veterans with shelter dogs for positive reinforcement-based training.

The program is mutually beneficial for the shelter dogs and incarcerated individuals, preparing dogs for permanent homes, and fostering emotional healing and a sense of duty for the handlers, WCRAS officials said.

There are currently nine dogs paired with 18 handlers through the program. The inaugural class graduated five dogs in April 2025, according to county documents.