Council freezes data centers
The Arcata City Council has enacted a 45-day moratorium on new data center applications to allow time to develop a formal regulatory policy. This urgency ordinance addresses concerns over public health, safety, and welfare, including noise, water, air quality, and energy use. The council may extend the moratorium for up to two years.
The Arcata City Council recently enacted a 45-day moratorium on new data center applications, citing a "current and immediate threat to public health, safety or welfare." This urgency ordinance was put in place to give city staff time to develop a formal regulatory policy for such facilities, as the city currently lacks a framework for data centers. The moratorium allows for potential extensions, which could see it prolonged for up to two years.
The decision comes amidst public objections regarding the 2020 approval of an existing data center on 11th Street and broader community concerns. Residents and officials have raised issues centering on noise, water and air quality, and energy consumption. The Arcata moratorium follows similar actions taken by other California municipalities, including Eureka, in response to growing concerns about data center impacts.
In addition to the moratorium, the council also adopted a new Economic Strategic Plan for sustainable growth through 2031 and approved liquor licenses for local establishments.