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Residents urge limits, transparency on data‑center proposals and resource impacts
Summary
Multiple residents asked the City Council to consider moratoria, stricter permitting or zoning for data centers, raising concerns about water use, electricity demand, noise and light pollution and a lack of public input for proposed projects.
Several residents used the public‑comment period to press the council on data‑center proposals and their local impacts. Kathy Faulkner called for the city to require developers to demonstrate local water and electrical capacity and to consider a temporary moratorium or special permits so guidelines can be established before approvals. "If you were to consider a permit, will you demand and share to the residents the power load projections, the tax breaks, the utility agreements, and require an open public comment period before approval of any permit?" Faulkner asked.
Mickey Kaye announced a town hall in nearby Hanford on Aug. 28 and said local groups are already organizing in opposition; Kathy Connolly echoed concerns about environmental impacts and urged regulation, noting that data centers use significant water and energy. Councilmembers did not adopt a moratorium at the meeting; staff did not present an immediate zoning action but residents were directed to community meetings and were encouraged to engage with county and regional planning bodies.
