Council directs staff to draft data-center zoning rules after robust public comment
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 2026-29 directing staff to prioritize zoning amendments to regulate large-scale data centers (definitions, appropriate zones, conditional-use permitting and supporting infrastructure); public commenters urged caution, local votes, and workforce standards.
City Attorney (agenda text attribution to William Smeardon) explained a proposed resolution directing staff to prepare zoning-ordinance amendments that would define large-scale data centers, identify appropriate zones, and require a conditional-use permit (CUP) process so projects are subject to public hearings and conditions addressing infrastructure (cooling, substations, backup power). City staff said the ordinance would not regulate any particular project but would set a procedural and substantive framework for future applications.
Residents expressed concerns about health, water and electricity impacts and urged the council to allow citywide votes on whether to permit large data centers; several residents said they felt unheard and expressed worry about resources and the Salton Sea. Labor organizations (IBEW Local 569 and individual business agents) supported the council\'s direction while urging the inclusion of workforce-safety standards, local-hire provisions, and required licensure/certifications for electrical and battery-energy work.
Council discussed timing, the need for planning-commission hearings, and that staff may need consultants; councilors emphasized public notice and multiple opportunities for community input. By voice vote the council adopted Resolution 2026-29 directing staff to prioritize drafting ordinance amendments and associated public hearings.
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