Perris Moves Forward With Citywide Ban On Data Centers
The Perris City Council unanimously voted to advance a citywide ban on data centers, with final approval pending after review by the planning commission. Residents voiced strong support for the ban, citing concerns about noise, water and electricity consumption, and negative parallels with existing warehouses. This action came after a council member requested research into data center impacts.
The Perris City Council has unanimously voted to move forward with a citywide ban on data centers, a decision that will next be reviewed by the city's planning commission before returning to the council for final approval. Mayor Michael Vargas noted the council's existing five votes in favor, signaling a likely path to enactment.
Principal Planner Rafael Garcia informed the council that the city's current code lacks definitions or regulations for data centers. He highlighted that while Riverside County has smaller data facilities, large-scale centers (over 250,000 square feet) are absent. Garcia detailed the significant operational differences between data centers and warehouses, emphasizing constant mechanical noise, substantial daily water consumption (200,000 to millions of gallons), and high electricity demand (20MW to 100MW). He also mentioned that while Southern California Edison could potentially provide power and Eastern Municipal Water District could supply water, both would require early consultation and infrastructure upgrades, with water recycling mandated.
Following Garcia's presentation, Councilmember Marisela Nava moved to prohibit data centers citywide, receiving a second from Councilmember David Starr Rabb. The motion was met with cheers from residents in attendance, 27 of whom spoke in support of the ban. Residents like Elizabeth Villalobos and Karla Cervantes expressed concerns that Perris should not bear the burdens of data center development, drawing comparisons to the adverse health impacts of warehouses that have made the city a logistics hub. Councilmembers, including Elizabeth Vallejo, encouraged continued community engagement in the