Whittier approves moratorium on data centers, car washes ahead of Proposition 45 vote
The Whittier City Council approved a 45-day moratorium on new data center permits, along with permits for car washes, massage parlors and detention centers. The pause is intended to give officials time to draft permanent regulations as California voters consider Proposition 45, which could accelerate data center construction.
The Whittier City Council approved a 45-day moratorium on new data center permits and several other uses, citing the need to develop permanent local regulations. Councilmember Vicky Santana said the state had not acted to limit or regulate data center development, while local concerns center partly on the facilities’ environmental footprint and potential water consumption.
The council is expected to consider extending the moratorium for another 10 months and 15 days, with a possible later extension of up to two years. Similar temporary restrictions have been adopted in Baldwin Park, Commerce, Montebello, West Covina and South El Monte, while Monterey Park voters approved a permanent data center ban earlier in the summer.