Venice City Council adopts 12-month moratorium on large-scale data center applications
The Venice City Council adopted a 12-month moratorium on applications and permits for large-scale data centers and other facilities with major utility demands. The pause covers projects with anticipated peak electrical loads of at least 50 megawatts while city staff study impacts on water, wastewater, electricity, wetlands, coastal ecosystems and land use.
The Venice City Council adopted an ordinance Oct. 27 imposing a 12-month moratorium on the city’s acceptance, review and approval of applications for large-scale data centers and other facilities with major utility demands. The moratorium applies to construction, expansion and operation proposals, including rezoning, comprehensive plan amendments, conditional uses, site plans and building permits.
The city defines a large-scale data center as a single facility with an anticipated monthly peak electrical load of at least 50 megawatts. During the moratorium, city staff will assess potential effects on water supplies, wastewater treatment, electrical capacity, wetlands, coastal ecosystems, noise, lighting and surrounding land uses. The city said no large-load businesses currently operate in Venice or have indicated plans to locate there.