INDIO, CA — A proposed data center moratorium extension will be considered during a City Council meeting in Indio later this week.
On June 3, the Indio City Council unanimously approved an urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium on data center development applications citywide. On June 24, city staff identified concerns relating to the impact of data centers, including water consumption, electrical demand, greenhouse gas emissions, noise and air quality.
The following month, council members extended the moratorium for 90 days, which is set to expire on Oct. 16.
A second and final extension will be considered Wednesday "on the establishment, expansion or intensification of data centers and other similar high-intensity computing uses," officials said.
The additional time would provide city staff a chance to draft permanent amendments to the city's general plan and/or unified development code, zoning regulations, development standards and other applicable regulations, according to a staff report.
If approved, the moratorium would be extended for an additional year through Oct. 16, 2027. However, adoption will require a four-fifths vote of the City Council.
Wednesday's council meeting will take place at 5 p.m. at 100 Civic Center Drive.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Palm Desert Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.