Gilroy residents raise concerns over Amazon data center construction
Gilroy residents are actively opposing the ongoing construction of an Amazon data center, raising concerns about its approval process, transparency, and potential strain on water and electricity resources. The project was approved due to its location in an industrial zone, bypassing public hearings. The Gilroy City Council is now considering amending its zoning code to enhance public outreach for future projects.
Construction is underway for an Amazon data center in Gilroy, California, despite active opposition from community members who are questioning the approval process and the project's potential impact.
Landon Sepulveda, a Gilroy resident and founder of South Valley Community Resistance, expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the approval process and the data center's potential consumption of water and electricity. The property, located near the Gilroy Premium Outlets, has been designated for industrial use since 1981, allowing projects to be approved without a public hearing, a process residents believe prevented community input that could have halted the project.
Gilroy Mayor Greg Boso stated that all seven city council members supported the project. While acknowledging the impact on some farmland, Amazon anticipates creating approximately 250 new jobs and generating tens of millions of dollars in local tax revenue. City Administrator Matt Morley confirmed that Amazon met all environmental review requirements and committed to using 100% recycled water and clean, carbon-free energy. Morley noted that the city followed its established approval procedures, though this project has generated an unusual level of public concern.
In response to the community's outcry, Mayor Boso and the City Council are expected to consider amending Gilroy's zoning code later this summer to enhance public outreach for future industrial projects. Residents like Sepulveda hope these changes will better protect the city's character.