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 ...
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