Oakley council adopts 45-day moratorium on new data center applications

Oakley’s City Council voted unanimously on April 14 to adopt an urgency ordinance temporarily prohibiting the processing or approval of new data center land-use applications within city limits.

City Attorney Mr. Cole told the council the ordinance would take effect immediately as a 45-day urgency measure and could be extended up to one year, with an additional year available under state law. "If 4/5ths of you are in favor, staff will bring back an item in the summer and we will present an extension of the moratorium at your first meeting in May," Cole said, describing a workshop-driven process with the planning commission to draft zoning standards.

The moratorium, proposed after a recent application raised community concern, pauses consideration of standalone data center proposals while the city develops regulations addressing public-health, environmental, water and land-use impacts. Several residents who spoke during public comment urged a broader ban or inclusion of battery storage technology in the restriction; one asked, "What is a data center? Data for who?" and urged council members to protect Oakley’s water and land.

Council members debated timing and legal limits of the pause. Some expressed skepticism that the 45-day window would be long enough to prevent a developer from returning with standards acceptable to staff; Cole responded that the planning and zoning process, including required public notice and hearings, makes it unlikely the city could permanently adopt a new zoning regime in 45 days. Council members asked staff to consolidate workshops, consider a joint planning-commission/city-council session, and return with an extension vote earlier than the statutory deadline if feasible.

Council Member Shaw made the motion to adopt the urgency ordinance and Vice Mayor Meadows seconded. The clerk recorded a 5–0 vote (Fuller: Aye; Shaw: Yes; Williams: Yes; Meadows: Yes; Henderson: Aye). Council directed staff to schedule a joint workshop in the summer, aim to have the ordinance work completed by the end of the calendar year, and bring an extension to the council’s May meeting.

The ordinance is procedural: if the council opts to continue, staff will use workshops and public hearings to draft permanent zoning amendments and a regulatory framework. The council emphasized outreach — including expanded online notices and town halls — to ensure citywide awareness during the rulemaking process.

Next steps: staff will schedule a joint planning commission/city council workshop this summer, present an extension for the moratorium at the council’s first May meeting, and return with a proposed zoning ordinance later this year.