Agenda Item Wording:
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Request by Council member Brian Poochigian - Consideration of a future agenda item to discuss a moratorium that would prohibit the development and approval of data centers and similar high-intensity uses with significant water net loss and electrical demands.
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Agenda Date: 08/17/2026
Prepared by: Brian Poochigian, Visalia City Council member, brian.poochigian@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation: Council member Brian Poochigian requests that the City Council approve adding an item to a future regular City Council meeting agenda to discuss and consider establishing a moratorium that would prohibit the development and approval of data centers and similar high-intensity uses with significant water and electrical demands.
Summary:
Council member Brian Poochigian seeks Council consideration of directing staff to return at a future regular meeting with an item regarding a moratorium on data centers and similar high-intensity uses that may require substantial water that results in a net loss and electrical resources that could impact the development of other, more beneficial, economic generators in the community.
The requested future agenda item would provide the City Council with an opportunity to discuss whether staff should evaluate the City's existing regulations, review actions being considered or implemented by other California jurisdictions, and present potential policy options.
Those options may include amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, development standards, referral of the matter to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation, a temporary moratorium, or other regulatory measures for City Council consideration.
Background Discussion:
On June 1, 2015, the City Council enacted a process wherein a City Councilmember may make a request to the City Manager that an item not otherwise scheduled to be on an agenda be added to a future agenda. If the item is received by the City Manager prior to Wednesday noon of the week before the next Council meeting, the City Manager adds an agenda item to the Consent Calendar with the question of whether the suggested agenda item should be placed on the next regularly scheduled meeting as a discussion item. (Note: Depending on the nature of the item, or the amount and type of information needed for the Council discussion, a later meeting date may be selected by Council.) If the item is approved as part of the Consent Calendar, or is pulled and approved after discussion, it is then placed on the next agenda as a regular item unless Council authorizes a later meeting to consider the item.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: None at this time. Approval of this item would only direct staff to place a discussion item on a future agenda. Any future action directing staff to conduct research, prepare ordinances, or pursue other regulatory measures would require separate City Council consideration.
Prior Council Action: None
Alternatives: Do not approve the request to place this matter on a future City Council agenda.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
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I move to approve the request by Council member Brian Poochigian to place an item on a future regular City Council meeting agenda to discuss a moratorium that would prohibit the development and approval of data centers and similar high-intensity uses with significant water and electrical demands.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: N/A
Attachments: N/A
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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