Data center moratorium unanimously passes at San Diego City Council
The San Diego City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on permitting, approving and developing data centers within city limits while officials create a regulatory framework. The action followed opposition to a potential 400-megawatt data center proposed as one possible use for the federally owned NAVWAR site in Old Town.
The San Diego City Council unanimously approved a 45-day pause on data center permitting, approvals and development while city staff develop preliminary recommendations and a longer-term regulatory framework. Mayor Todd Gloria had already issued an executive order temporarily halting data center development, citing potential impacts on water supplies, the electricity grid, land availability, utility bills, housing and neighborhoods.
The moratorium was prompted in part by discussions about a possible 400-megawatt data center at the Navy-owned NAVWAR site near Old Town. Manchester Financial Group President and CEO Ted Eldredge said the data center was one of several redevelopment concepts under consideration and that no project had been finalized. Because the site is federally owned, council members acknowledged the city’s moratorium may have limited direct effect there, but they said San Diego would continue pressing for a role in decisions affecting the community.
Dozens of residents spoke against data center development at the council meeting. Council President Joe LaCava and other council members supported creating rules for the industry, while the council’s action allows the moratorium to potentially be extended for nearly two years as officials study the issue and consider amendments to the city’s land development code.