San Diego City Council unanimously passes moratorium on data centers
The San Diego City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on data center permitting, approvals and development within city limits. The action follows strong community opposition to a potential 400-megawatt Manchester Financial Group data center at the federally owned NAVWAR site, while city staff develop regulations for future projects.
The San Diego City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium halting data center permitting, approvals and development within the city. Mayor Todd Gloria had previously issued an executive order pausing development after Manchester Financial Group floated a possible 400-megawatt data center at the Navy-owned NAVWAR site near Old Town. Company president and CEO Ted Eldredge said the data center was only one of several redevelopment concepts under consideration and that no project had been finalized.
Dozens of residents spoke against data centers at the council meeting, citing potential impacts on electricity, water, land, infrastructure, housing and neighborhoods. The moratorium requires city staff to develop preliminary recommendations within 180 days, with a stakeholder working group advising the process; the pause could eventually be extended for nearly two years. Council amendments call for renewable energy, union labor, protections near schools and parks, and measures preventing data centers from shifting costs onto residents.