Amazon data center in Gilroy, California, approved quietly, drawing resident opposition
Amazon quietly secured approval for a $2 billion data center in Gilroy, California, through a single city staffer, leading to widespread resident outcry. The project, approved without public meetings, has raised significant environmental concerns, particularly regarding water usage in the drought-stricken community. The controversy has prompted the city council to consider overhauling its permitting process for future large developments.
Amazon secretly developed a $2 billion data center project in Gilroy, California, securing approval without public meetings or votes. The permit was granted by a single city staffer, circumventing public scrutiny by utilizing 45-year-old zoning codes for industrial development. This covert approval process ignited a significant backlash among residents, many of whom only learned of the 438,500-square-foot facility after construction had already begun.
Residents, including elementary-school teacher Coleen Crew and college student Landon Sepulveda, expressed outrage over the lack of transparency. Concerns are particularly high regarding the data center's water consumption in the drought-prone region, despite Amazon's promise to build a wastewater pipeline for the facility. Additionally, there are fears about potential battery fires, referencing a similar incident in nearby Moss Landing.
Mayor Greg Bozzo defended the approval process, noting that other industrial projects had been approved similarly without uproar. He highlighted the economic benefits, including tax revenue, construction jobs, and a $1 million contribution for a new firetruck, along with Amazon's local grants and sponsorships. Roger Wehner, Vice President of Economic Development at Amazon Web Services, acknowledged the community's desire for more engagement but maintained that the project adhered to standard approval processes for its industrially zoned parcel.
In response to the public outcry, the Gilroy City Council is now considering new regulations for large-scale projects. Proposed changes include mandating approval from the city's planning commission, requiring developers to hold community meetings, and ensuring notifications are sent to nearby residents, signaling a shift in how Gilroy intends to manage future development.