1 of 2 July 21, 2026, Item #16
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Summary:
M EMQRAN DLJ M CityofPoway
July 13, 2026
Members of the City Council
Steve Vaus, Mayor; Anita Edmondson, Councilmember
Stand-Alone Commercial Data Centers in Poway
Poway has always taken a thoughtful approach to land use, balancing economic opportunity with the need to protect our quality of life, preserve our community character, and make responsible long term planning decisions. As stand-alone commercial data centers for Al continue expanding across the country, we believe now is the appropriate time to make it clear that these facilities are not an appropriate fit for Poway. Accordingly, we request the City Council direct staff to prepare an ordinance prohibiting the development and operation of stand-alone commercial data centers within the City of Poway.
These facilities place extraordinary demands on public infrastructure while providing relatively little benefit to the surrounding community. A single Al data center can consume as much electricity as tens of thousands of homes, placing significant demands on the electrical grid. Many also require substantial quantities of water for cooling, often hundreds of thousands of gallons per day, which is difficult to justify in Southern California, where water will always be one of our most precious resources.
There are also important quality-of-life considerations. Al Data centers operate around the clock and rely on large cooling systems that produce a constant low-frequency hum. Many facilities also maintain extensive backup diesel generators that must be tested regularly and operated during power outages, creating additional concerns related to noise and air quality.
Finally, this is a matter of sound land use policy. Poway has a limited supply of commercial and industrial land, and those properties should be reserved for uses that strengthen our local economy, serve our residents, and make responsible use of our infrastructure. Stand-alone commercial data centers do not generate high paying jobs and therefore do not align with that vision to create a vibrant economically sustainable Poway Business Park. Taking action now provides certainty for property owners, residents, and businesses while reinforcing the values that have made Poway one of California's safest and most desirable communities.
Recommended Action:
We recommend that the City Council direct the City Manager and City Attorney to return as soon as possible with a draft ordinance amending the Poway Municipal Code to prohibit the development and operation of stand-alone commercial data centers within the City of Poway.
2 of 2 July 21, 2026, Item #16
Reviewed/Approved By
Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By:
Alan Fenstermacher
City Attorney
Approved By:
Chris Hazeltine
City Manager