Coachella Considering Permanent Ban On Data Center Developments

COACHELLA, CA — The Coachella City Council will discuss a data center ban ordinance during a public hearing Wednesday at City Hall.

The proposed ordinance would permanently ban data center developments and uses within the city due to concerns of potentially negative impacts on the city's electrical infrastructure, water resources, air quality, public health and safety and land use compatibility.

The ordinance defines a data center as a structure or site used to house computer or other components related to digital data storage, process and transmission of digital data. Additionally, it defines data center uses as storage facilities, small data storage facilities, server farms, artificial intelligence training or processing, image processing, cloud computing, email servicing and other similar uses.

Exemptions under the ordinance would include "accessory server rooms, data processing equipment or information technology facilities that are incidental, subordinate and specifically related to a permitted principal use."

The ordinance would take effect 30 days after council approval. City staff recommended the item to be decided upon by the council as opposed to placing it on November's ballot, so the council could amend it if needed without waiting for voter approval. Any changes would still have to go through the planning commission and the council, and community members may continue to voice their support or concerns on any proposed changes.

The city has a temporary moratorium in place for data center developments until June 3, 2027.

The council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at 1515 Sixth St.