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Staff: City Council will consider moratorium on data centers; public outreach planned
Summary
Planning staff told the Richmond Planning Commission that the City Council will discuss directing staff to examine a moratorium on data centers to allow time for community input and potential local requirements; staff also warned of fraudulent emails impersonating city staff.
At the end of the meeting staff alerted commissioners that the City Council will discuss whether to direct staff to establish a moratorium on data centers at an upcoming council meeting.
Lina Velasco, director of community development, said there are no data centers in Richmond today but that the use is appearing more frequently in Contra Costa County and beyond. "The council is going to discuss whether or not they put a moratorium so that would provide some time for us to work with the community to come up with some requirements should they be desired," Velasco said.
Staff also warned that scammers are using publicly available project information and sending fraudulent emails that appear to come from city staff to request payment. Velasco said staff has posted warnings on the city web page and online permitting system and advised residents and applicants to be vigilant and to contact staff with questions rather than wiring funds to unknown addresses.
Next steps: Staff said it will report back to the commission after the council discussion; any moratorium or requirements would be set by the City Council and followed by staff-led community outreach and rulemaking.
