ATTACHMENT B
(10-Day Report)
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: TEN (10) DAY MORATORIUM REPORT REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2134 TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING THE APPROVAL OF DATA
CENTERS
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Department of Planning Services
SUMMARY:
On August 26, 2026, the City Council adopted an interim urgency ordinance (Ordinance No. 2134) that temporarily suspended the City’s approval of new applications for data centers. The interim urgency ordinance is effective for forty-five (45) days, set to expire on October 10, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file.
BACKGROUND:
Ordinance No. 2134 was adopted pursuant to California Government Code Section 65858 and provides that the ordinance shall expire forty-five (45) days from its date of adoption (October 10, 2026), unless the ordinance is extended by the Palm Springs City Council. The City Council may adopt an extension of an interim urgency ordinance for an additional ten (10) months fifteen (15) days or an additional twenty-two (22) months fifteen (15) days, for a total period of one (1) or two (2) years.
Government Code Section 65858(d) further requires that at least ten (10) days prior to the expiration or any extension of the moratorium, the City Council must issue a written report describing the measures taken to alleviate the conditions which led to the adoption of the ordinance. This staff report serves as the required written report.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Since the initial adoption of the moratorium, the Department of Planning Services has coordinated with the consulting team undertaking the comprehensive review of the City’s
City Council Staff Report
September 9, 2026 -- Page 2
Ten (10) Day Moratorium Report Regarding Ordinance No. 2134 Zoning Code to engage them on studying the benefits and impacts of data centers as well as best practices for mitigating those impacts through potential regulations to be housed in the updated zoning framework. Further review includes conducting additional research and analysis, conducting public outreach, and a final review by the Planning Commission and City Council at the time a draft Zoning Code is ready for review.
Additional time is necessary to thoughtfully and thoroughly review these land uses both internally and with the community. As such, Staff will present to the Council at its meeting of September 30, 2026, a request to extend the moratorium for an additional period of twenty-two (22) months fifteen (15) days, for a total period of two (2) years. The moratorium may be rescinded by Council at such time that a new Zoning Code is adopted establishing regulations for data centers.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This report is not a project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it has no potential for resulting in physical changes to the environment, directly or indirectly.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Infrastructure and Facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Christopher Hadwin
Deputy City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
None.