Palm Springs City Council considers extending data center moratorium

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Palm Springs City Council is set to consider extending the city’s temporary moratorium on data centers, potentially keeping new applications and permits on hold for nearly two years.

The council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on Aug. 26, temporarily prohibiting the city from accepting, processing or approving applications and permits related to data centers.

That moratorium is scheduled to expire Oct. 10.

Now, city staff is recommending extending the moratorium by another 22 months and 15 days while Palm Springs studies how data centers could be regulated.

According to a city staff report, Palm Springs’ current municipal and zoning codes do not define or specifically regulate data centers. The city also does not currently have policies governing where or how those facilities could be developed.

The Department of Planning Services says it needs additional time to study the potential impacts of data centers and develop land-use regulations as part of the city’s ongoing zoning code update.

City staff says the additional time would allow officials to review the issue internally and gather community input before establishing potential regulations.

If approved, the extension would keep the temporary ban in place while the city continues working on potential long-term rules for data center development.

The council is scheduled to discuss the proposed extension during its meeting Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Palm Springs City Hall.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.