City Council, September 3, 2026
Approves Resolution initiating text amendment to prohibit data centers, 7-0
What happened
The Fresno City Council held a public financing workshop on the SEDA (Southeast Development Area) specific plan, presenting an economic analysis showing South SEDA could generate a $17.2 million annual net general fund surplus at build-out, but took no vote as it was a workshop;…
- Jurisdiction
- Fresno, CA
- Governing body
- Final authority
- Date
- September 3, 2026
- Decisions
- 4 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Approved, 7-0
Free sample: decision 1 of 4
Resolution initiating text amendment to prohibit data centers
Resolution initiating a text amendment to Chapter 15 of the Fresno Municipal Code pursuant to FMC Section 15-5308-A relating to prohibition of data centers within the City of Fresno, establishing a 10-year moratorium. Sponsored by Council Member Richardson; Mayor's Office and City Manager added as co-sponsors. Amended to apply the prohibition to any territory annexed after the effective date, pending annexations, existing buildings, and property within the sphere of influence including Central Southeast Specific Plan and South SEDA; and to require immediate notification of council offices of any data center use application. Definition includes facilities primarily for AI computing/cloud storage, typically exceeding 20,000 sq ft and 2 megawatts demand. Passed 7-0 after being reopened for reconsideration to allow Council Member Karbasi to vote in favor.
- prohibition applies to territory annexed after effective date
- applies to pending annexations
- applies to existing buildings
- applies to property within sphere of influence including Central Southeast Specific Plan and South SEDA
- immediate notification of all council offices of any data center application
The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.
Meeting Summary
The Fresno City Council held a public financing workshop on the SEDA (Southeast Development Area) specific plan, presenting an economic analysis showing South SEDA could generate a $17.2 million annual net general fund surplus at build-out, but took no vote as it was a workshop;…
Key Decisions (4)
Resolution initiating text amendment to prohibit data centers
2027 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant
17th Amendment to Annual Appropriation Resolution (District 3 budget transfer)
SEDA Public Financing Workshop (South SEDA specific plan)
Development Activity (2)
South SEDA (Southeast Development Area) - South of Jensen employment area
Industrial
South SEDA (Southeast Development Area) - East of Temperance residential area
Residential
Market Signals (6)
Commercial Demand
City projects demand for 500,000 to 2 million sq ft/year…
Housing Demand
SEDA residential capacity was revised upward from ~4,800 to 10,000+…
Infrastructure
Fresno's wastewater treatment plant is at ~60% capacity and would…
Who Spoke (31)
On the record: the chair, the mayor, 5 councilmembers, 3 staff members, a witness, and 7 members of the public.
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