Residents slam data center proposal for Calistoga Fairgrounds

Calistoga residents gathered at a Calistoga Fairgrounds Advisory Committee meeting to voice strong opposition to a proposed data center development. Nick Kovacevich, president of Global Stack LLC, presented a vision for the Calistoga Fairgrounds that included an "edge computing" data center, a three-story parking garage, and a helipad for electrical vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Kovacevich explained his company's plan, which aims to provide financially struggling fairgrounds across California with new revenue streams from data centers using about 10 megawatts of electricity annually, parking, and future eVTOL services. However, the proposal met with significant community backlash, with about 50 attendees filling the meeting space. Residents, including Resa Jarvey and Hilary Simone, expressed concerns about the environmental impact, including water and electricity consumption, increased noise, and air pollution, arguing the project was inconsistent with Calistoga's character and values.

Several residents emphasized the need for Calistoga to develop a master plan for its fairgrounds before considering such large-scale projects. Questions were also raised about the city's 2024 purchase contract of the fairgrounds from Napa County, which limits the property's use to historical purposes. Committee Chair Shane Pavitt acknowledged the overwhelming public sentiment against the project, thanking residents for their input and confirming that no vote was scheduled for the proposal.