Coachella Council Approves Data Center Ban

The United States — Coachella City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that would permanently ban data centers, data storage facilities, and large-scale computing facilities citywide. The ban responds to months of resident pressure and concerns about strain on the electrical grid, water supply, air quality, and emergency response resources. The ordinance includes narrow exemptions for accessory server rooms and IT equipment tied to permitted primary uses. A second reading and final vote is scheduled for August 26, with the ban taking effect 30 days after approval. The city's temporary moratorium on data center applications remains in place through June 2027 as a backstop. The decision follows the collapse of the Coachella Valley Technology Campus project, which had drawn hundreds of residents to council meetings earlier this year. City staff recommended against placing the ban on the ballot, arguing a standard ordinance would take effect faster and remain amendable through the normal process.