Legislation Details

File #: 26-0776    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Approval Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 8/17/2026 In control: County Counsel
On agenda: 9/1/2026 Final action:
Title: Discussion and Possible Action Including Adoption of an Urgency Ordinance of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Imposing a Temporary Moratorium Prohibiting the Processing and Approval of New Data Center Uses Within the Unincorporated County to Allow for Evaluation of the Public Health, Environmental and Fiscal Impacts and the Enactment of Further and Appropriate Regulations Concerning Such Uses (Sponsor: County Counsel) VOTE REQUIREMENT: 4/5ths
Attachments: 1. Urgency Ordinance, 2. Ordinance Summary, 3. APA-Zoning-Practice-2025-10, 4. CRS Data Centers and Power- FAQ 5.12.2026, 5. CRS Data Centers and Water- FAQ 7.31.2026
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: County Counsel
MEETING DATE: September 1, 2026


DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Katharine Elliott
PHONE:
707-234-6885
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Matthew Kiedrowski
PHONE:
707-234-6885


ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda

TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: 30 Minutes


AGENDA TITLE:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Adoption of an Urgency Ordinance of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Imposing a Temporary Moratorium Prohibiting the Processing and Approval of New Data Center Uses Within the Unincorporated County to Allow for Evaluation of the Public Health, Environmental and Fiscal Impacts and the Enactment of Further and Appropriate Regulations Concerning Such Uses
(Sponsor: County Counsel)

VOTE REQUIREMENT: 4/5ths
End

RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Adopt Urgency Ordinance of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors imposing a temporary moratorium prohibiting the processing and approval of new Data Center Uses within the unincorporated County to allow for evaluation of the public health, environmental and fiscal impacts and the enactment of further and appropriate regulations concerning such uses; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End

PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
On July 7, 2026, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to prepare an urgency ordinance establishing a moratorium on new data centers in Mendocino County and formed an ad hoc committee of Supervisors Haschak and Williams to work with staff and bring back a specific plan regarding data centers, including research from other counties and cities, and to look at the financial benefit and impact to the County.

SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
Government Code section 65858 authorizes a county board of supervisors to enact, by a 4/5 vote, an interim ordinance prohibiting any uses that may be in conflict with a contemplated general plan, specific plan or zoning proposal that the board is considering or studying or intends to study within a reasonable time...

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