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Hanford residents press council to study, seek protections against proposed data centers
Summary
Dozens of residents told the Hanford City Council on July 21 they oppose proposed data centers near the Kings County Fairgrounds and NAS Lemoore, citing water use, noise, air quality and limited local jobs; the council agreed to place a study session on the future agenda to explore options.
Dozens of Hanford residents used the council's public-comment period on July 21 to urge the City Council to oppose proposed data-center projects at the Kings County Fairgrounds and other nearby sites, raising water, noise, air-quality and equity concerns.
"Progress for who?" asked resident Yvette Chides Villarreal, urging the council to consider whether the projects leave the community healthier than before. Several speakers said a 10-megawatt facility would demand large volumes of water and power, create continuous low-frequency noise and generate limited long-term local employment.
Resident Sienna Rodriguez cited numbers she said were from public reports: "A 10-megawatt data center consumes between 75,000 and 340 gallons of water per day," and warned that daytime and 24-hour noise could affect nearby neighborhoods.
City Attorney cautioned council members that their authority may be legally limited for projects on state-owned land. "State agencies are not subject to local zoning laws," the attorney said, explaining the city may not be able to prohibit projects sited on state property and urging the council to evaluate legal options and coordination with other jurisdictions.
Speakers urged the council to act despite limits: calls included passing a local ordinance or resolution to prevent data centers within city limits, coordinating a countywide or multi-city coalition to oppose projects near Hanford, seeking intervener or legal standing in environmental reviews, and hosting public education and town-hall meetings. Organizers announced a nonpartisan town hall planned for Aug. 28.
In response, Councilmember Paden asked staff to evaluate what the city could do even if authority over state property is limited. Council consensus formed to add a future study session on the topic so staff could present options, municipal-code language, and outreach strategies. The mayor said he would request that item be placed on a future agenda and that staff prepare materials for a study session.
Next steps: staff will prepare a study-session report for the council calendar that examines the legal constraints explained by the city attorney, outlines possible municipal responses (including zoning and code changes where applicable), and summarizes outreach and coordination options for neighboring jurisdictions. The public was encouraged to bring information and suggested legal strategies to the upcoming study session.
(Quoted speakers and attributions come from the meeting transcript.)
