Escondido approves moratorium on data centers
The Escondido City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on data centers. This pause allows city staff to develop regulations for land use, zoning, and address potential impacts on public safety and city services, as well as power and water resources.
The Escondido City Council unanimously approved an urgency ordinance on Wednesday, imposing a 45-day moratorium on data center development within the city. City leaders stated the moratorium is a public health and safety measure, allowing municipal staff to develop comprehensive regulations concerning land use, zoning, and to mitigate potential impacts on public safety and city services, as well as power and water resources.
Garrett Smith, a senior planner with the Development Services Department, clarified that the city currently has no applications or inquiries from data center developers. The council's action provides staff with crucial time to conduct legal and regulatory research, perform stakeholder outreach, and draft appropriate ordinances, amend its General Plan, and update development standards. The council has the option to extend the moratorium for an additional 10 months, and then another 12 months, if more time is needed. Staff are scheduled to provide an update on their progress on October 10.