San Mateo Co.: Supes Weigh Possible Zoning Restrictions On Data Center Construction
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to study zoning changes that could restrict data center construction in the county's unincorporated areas. Supervisors removed language considering a countywide ban, while officials cited data centers' water, energy and emissions impacts as reasons for further review.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted to direct county planning, executive and legal staff to evaluate possible zoning amendments governing data center construction in unincorporated areas. Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, who sponsored the resolution with Board President Noelia Corzo, said the county should prepare for potential development because of its proximity to Silicon Valley and the region's artificial-intelligence industry.
The original proposal included consideration of a countywide ban on new data centers, but Supervisor Jackie Speier and other supervisors objected to presuming that a ban was the appropriate outcome. That language was removed before the resolution passed. Officials and public commenters cited data centers' heavy water and electricity use, diesel backup generators and potential emissions, while Silicon Valley Leadership Group representative Eric Negomir advocated for a balanced approach that would preserve tax revenue and infrastructure benefits while addressing community concerns.