Planning Commission Signals Caution on Data Centers, Staff Works Towards First Zoning Definition
The Pasadena Planning Commission held a study session where commissioners and residents expressed significant concerns about the high electricity and water demands of data centers, exemplified by an Amazon-linked property. With no existing definition for data centers in the city's zoning code, staff were directed to draft a land-use definition to bring back for future discussion. This initial step aims to address the potential resource strain data centers could impose on the city.
The Pasadena Planning Commission recently convened a study session to address the growing concerns surrounding data centers, a land use currently undefined in the city's zoning code. Commissioners and residents raised alarms over the substantial power and water demands associated with these facilities, with city planning staff highlighting that a single 10-megawatt data center could consume as much electricity as 8,000 Pasadena households and 40 acre-feet of water annually, primarily for cooling. A public commenter specifically pointed to an Amazon-owned parcel near Eaton Wash, intensifying the discussion.
Principal Planner Martin Potter provided detailed figures, noting that a 10-megawatt facility would use 78,000 to 79,000 megawatt-hours of electricity yearly, equivalent to about 14% of Pasadena's residential usage. The proposed draft definition staff is exploring would classify a "general" data center as any facility consuming one megawatt or more, using over 50 gallons of water per minute annually, or occupying one acre or more. Commissioner Michael Albrecht questioned Pasadena Water and Power about the water threshold, emphasizing the significant impact of such consumption.
The study session, being informational, involved no voting. However, Chair Lambert Giessinger instructed staff to develop a concrete draft land-use definition, a directive that originated from earlier City Council committee meetings in March and April 2026. Staff will present an update to the Housing, Homelessness and Planning Committee before bringing a formal recommendation to the Planning Commission, which will then advise the City Council on a potential zoning code amendment to integrate data centers into the city's regulations.