Coachella City Council to consider permanent ban on data centers

The Coachella City Council will hold the first of two public hearings Wednesday evening to consider an ordinance that would permanently ban data center developments and related uses within city limits.

The proposed ordinance comes amid concerns about the potential effects of large-scale data center operations on Coachella’s electrical infrastructure, water resources, air quality, public health and safety, and compatibility with surrounding land uses.

Under the proposed ordinance, a data center would be defined as a structure or site used to house computers or other equipment associated with the storage, processing or transmission of digital data. The definition would also cover a broad range of related uses, including storage facilities, small data storage facilities, server farms, artificial intelligence training or processing, image processing, cloud computing and email servicing.

Not all computer-related facilities would be prohibited. The ordinance includes an exemption for accessory server rooms, data processing equipment and information technology facilities that are incidental and subordinate to, and specifically associated with, an otherwise permitted principal use.

City staff have recommended that the council make the decision through the ordinance process rather than place the measure on the November ballot. According to the staff recommendation, that approach would allow the council to make amendments if necessary without waiting for voter approval. Any proposed changes would still need to go through the Planning Commission and City Council, while residents would continue to have opportunities to express their support or concerns.

The proposed permanent ban comes while the city already has a temporary moratorium on new data center developments. That moratorium is currently scheduled to remain in effect through June 3, 2027.

The first public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Coachella City Hall, 1515 Sixth St. The second public hearing is scheduled for August 26.

Residents and other members of the public will have an opportunity to comment before the council considers the proposed ordinance.

The council’s decision could establish a long-term policy for how Coachella addresses data centers and other energy- and resource-intensive digital infrastructure as the city considers future development.