Coachella To Discuss Full Data Center Ban At Wednesday’s Meeting
The Coachella City Council is set to discuss an ordinance that would ban all data centers within city limits, following months of community opposition to a proposed data center project. This discussion comes after the council previously enacted and extended a temporary moratorium and the planning commission recommended the ban. Other cities in Riverside County are also considering similar measures.
The Coachella City Council is scheduled to discuss a comprehensive ordinance on Wednesday that would prohibit the permitting, establishment, or operation of data centers within the city limits. This proposed ban comes after months of intense community advocacy sparked by a previously proposed data center project from Coachella Valley Power Services LLC, a subsidiary of Stronghold Power Systems Inc. Residents voiced significant concerns regarding electrical demand, water consumption, air quality, noise, and overall environmental sustainability.
Following public outcry, the council unanimously adopted a temporary moratorium on data centers, directed staff to draft a ban ordinance, and canceled the development agreement with Coachella Valley Power Services. The moratorium was subsequently extended, and the city's Planning Commission unanimously recommended adopting a full ban.
Coachella is not unique in Riverside County, as other cities are also taking steps to restrict data center development. Indio City Council is considering a similar ban, Desert Hot Springs has extended its moratorium for two years, and Perris City Council voted to move forward with a total ban. If approved by the Coachella City Council this Wednesday, the ordinance will undergo final adoption later in the month and become effective 30 days thereafter.