Perris Planning Commission Recommends Data Center Ban
Perris city planning commissioners unanimously voted to recommend a ban on data centers due to resident concerns over water, electricity, noise, and environmental impact. The City Council is expected to take a final vote in October, potentially making Perris the third city in California to prohibit data centers within its boundaries.
Perris, California's City Planning Commission unanimously voted 5-0 on September 16 to recommend a ban on data centers within city limits, following overwhelming resident opposition. Over 20 speakers voiced concerns at the meeting, citing fears that data centers would strain water and electricity resources, increase utility rates, cause noise pollution, and lead to environmental harm, including habitat destruction. Long-time resident Nancy Rainey and wildlife biologist Kassandra Vazquez were among those who highlighted potential negative impacts on quality of life and biodiversity.
The commission's vote aligns with a unanimous decision by the Perris City Council in June to advance a ban, with a final vote anticipated at the council's October 13 meeting. If enacted, Perris would become the third city in California, and the first in western Riverside County, to prohibit data centers, following similar bans in Monterey Park (Los Angeles County) and Coachella (Riverside County).
A city report presented to the commission concluded that the potential benefits of data centers, such as property investment and tax revenue, would not outweigh the city's responsibility to maintain adequate and reliable services, particularly given the facilities' high water and power demands. Commissioners expressed the need to preemptively address the issue and ensure the ban's definition of data centers is comprehensive enough to prevent loopholes, reflecting a sentiment that the industry is not suitable for a community like Perris.