Baldwin Park Council adopts 45‑day moratorium on data centers

The Baldwin Park City Council on March 4 adopted a 45‑day moratorium on the approval, establishment or operation of data centers in the city, voting 5–0 to pause new projects while staff studies regulations.

City Attorney (name not provided) told the council the moratorium would “give you that time” to analyze how to regulate data centers and that it is authorized under Article XI, section 7 of the California Constitution and Government Code §65858. He said rapid growth in cloud computing and AI‑related capacity demands has raised concerns about impacts on the grid, rising electricity costs for residents, increased water consumption, large land use footprints and potential nuisances such as noise or heat.

Council member Alejandra Avilla said the pause is necessary to study possible effects on public health and infrastructure, noting Baldwin Park is already bordered by three freeways and should avoid additional environmental burdens. “I think it’s very important that we take the 45 days to study how it would affect our community,” she said.

The motion to adopt the temporary moratorium was made by Council member Alejandra Avilla and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ayala. The council voted unanimously, 5–0, to impose the 45‑day pause; staff told council they will return with proposed development standards and, if needed, seek extensions allowed by state law for up to two years and 15 days.

Why it matters: data centers can consume large amounts of power and water and, depending on location and design, can affect nearby land uses and local utility capacity. The moratorium gives Baldwin Park staff time to assess technical, environmental and land‑use issues and propose regulations before an applicant can proceed.

Next steps: staff will study development standards and return to council with proposals; the moratorium takes effect immediately upon adoption and is limited to 45 days unless council later acts to extend it.