Hayward City Council to Consider Moratorium on New Data Centers

The Hayward City Council is preparing to review a proposal that could halt new data center construction within city limits. At an upcoming September 15 meeting, council members will debate a legislative referral requesting that municipal staff draft an amendment to the local zoning code to bar future development.

The referral was put forward by Mayor Mark Salinas, Mayor Pro Tempore George Syrop, and Councilmember Angela Andrews after local residents voiced growing worries about the heavy electrical draw and environmental consequences associated with large computer facilities.

In addition to blocking new applications, the proposed directive asks staff to track and report on the economic and ecological footprints of data centers that have already been built or approved. If the council votes to support the referral, city staff will create a formal ordinance for another vote later in the year.