Tuolumne County Planning Commission to weigh in on potential data center rules
Tuolumne County planning commissioners are scheduled to provide initial input on an ordinance regulating where and under what conditions data centers could be built. Residents are opposing data centers over potential water, electricity, noise and environmental impacts, while a proposed temporary moratorium failed to win enough support from the Board of Supervisors.
The Tuolumne County Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss potential data center regulations at its next public meeting, beginning the county’s formal process for developing an ordinance. The county Board of Supervisors previously directed the Community Development Department to create rules governing where and under what conditions data centers could operate, but no draft ordinance or formal vote is scheduled for the planning commission meeting.
The discussion follows an October open house that drew more than 50 people and generated significant opposition to data center development. Residents cited concerns about water and electricity consumption, noise, environmental effects and impacts on the county’s rural character; Lori Underwood’s petition seeking an outright ban had collected more than 800 signatures.
District 2 Supervisor Ryan Campbell’s proposal for a temporary moratorium failed to gain majority support. Supervisors Steve Griefer, Mike Holland and Anaiah Kirk opposed the moratorium, citing the lack of any current data center proposals and concerns that a ban could make the county appear unfriendly to business. No specific data center project has been proposed, and county staff would currently evaluate any application under the most similar existing land-use classification.