Riverbank approves 45-day moratorium on data centers
The Riverbank City Council in Stanislaus County, California, has unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on data center development. This decision was made after five potential developers approached the city, including one proposing a project at the old Army Ammunitions Plant. The moratorium will allow the city time to study potential impacts and establish new policies or ordinances to ensure future developments meet high standards and prioritize residents' interests.
The Riverbank City Council in Stanislaus County, California, has unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on data center developments. This move comes after the city was approached by five potential developers, with one proposal specifically targeting the old Army Ammunitions Plant on Claus Road.
Riverbank Mayor Rachel Hernandez stated that the moratorium is crucial to give the city time to study the impacts of these rapidly evolving technologies and to ensure that any future development meets the highest standards while prioritizing residents' interests. She emphasized the city's commitment to residents, which may necessitate new policies and ordinances to address new technologies and development types.
During the council meeting, a spokesperson for one of the unnamed data center companies argued against the moratorium, acknowledging public concerns about data centers' impact on communities and natural resources. However, he claimed their proposed project would be a different program, representing a significant investment in Riverbank and generating an estimated $10 million annually in property tax. The moratorium has the potential to be extended for up to two years, and Riverbank is not the first city in Stanislaus County to implement such a pause.