Developers planning data center for Fairfield industrial park
Developers are planning a 150 MW data center as part of a 300-acre industrial campus in Fairfield, California. The Fairfield planning commission previously approved a master development permit for the industrial park, and the project is proceeding with engineering studies for power and water infrastructure. The article notes growing community concerns about data center impacts, referencing opposition in nearby Contra Costa and Solano counties.
A 150 MW data center is being planned for a 300-acre industrial campus in northeast Fairfield, California, spearheaded by a collaboration between commercial real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle and developer NorthPoint Development. The project, dubbed "Project North Bay Solutions" in promotional materials, would be located between Vanden Road and North Gate Road.
Fairfield spokesperson Bill Way confirmed that Canon Partners, controlled by Andrews Lando & Associates and Stroud Properties, owns the property and is considering the data center. The Fairfield planning commission approved a master development permit for the 4.6-million-square-foot industrial park in 2023, finding it consistent with the city’s general plan and existing environmental review. Way stated that the next step requires a formal development application and public hearing.
Canon Partners is currently studying the costs associated with bringing in PG&E infrastructure for the high power load. The city of Fairfield is committed to providing water for the project at normal rates, with existing wastewater collection capacity of 1 million gallons-per-day in excess.
The article also highlights increasing community concerns about data center resource usage by referencing situations in nearby areas. In Contra Costa County, the Center for Biological Diversity sued the city of Pittsburg over its approval of the AVAIO Digital Perseus data center, citing environmental concerns. This lawsuit resulted in a settlement requiring the project to use 100% renewable energy and recycled water. Additionally, Solano County residents encouraged the Board of Supervisors to impose a business license tax on data centers, leading to a proposed $5 per-square-foot tax for unincorporated areas, which will be on the November ballot.