Tehama County Planning suggests stricter rules for any proposed data centers
The Tehama County Planning Commission is recommending that future data centers require conditional use permits instead of being automatically allowed in certain industrial zones. Residents opposed potential data center development, citing water, agricultural land, housing and employment concerns, while a possible moratorium may be considered later.
The Tehama County Planning Commission is preparing to recommend zoning changes to the Board of Supervisors that would require conditional use permits for data centers in the county’s M1 light industrial and M2 general industrial zones. Under current rules, qualifying facilities can be built by right with limited county oversight; the proposed change will go to the supervisors for a vote and would take effect after 30 days if approved.
Planning Director Jessica Martinez and Commissioner Viki Miranda said the discussion is preventative because the county has not received any data center applications. A larger-than-usual group of residents urged county officials to consider a moratorium and raised concerns about water scarcity, agricultural land, housing and the long-term jobs associated with data centers. The commission also noted that a Board of Supervisors study session and possible moratorium discussion could follow.