It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolution:
 
 

The City Council has expressed interest in establishing a clear policy regarding the potential siting of large-scale data centers and commercial Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities within the City.

Data centers are specialized facilities that accommodate computer servers, telecommunications equipment, electrical infrastructure, cooling systems, and other associated equipment. Depending on their size and operation, these facilities may generate substantial demands for electrical power and supporting infrastructure and may operate continuously.

Commercial-scale BESS facilities are specialized energy infrastructure facilities used to store and discharge electrical energy. These facilities may involve large battery installations and associated electrical, mechanical, fire protection, and control equipment. BESS facilities also present unique fire and emergency-response considerations, including the potential for thermal runaway, fire, explosion, and the release of hazardous or irritating gases, requiring specialized fire prevention, suppression, monitoring, and emergency response measures.

The City is a substantially built-out community with established residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, employment centers, public facilities, and other sensitive land uses. The scale, operational characteristics, infrastructure demands, and potential public safety and land use compatibility considerations associated with these facilities warrant consideration of whether such uses are appropriate within the City.

There is currently no pending application for a data center or commercial BESS facility in the City of West Covina. As such, the proposed Resolution is not intended to address or determine the outcome of any specific development proposal.
 

The proposed Resolution would establish a City Council policy opposing the siting of large-scale data centers and commercial-scale BESS facilities within West Covina.

The Resolution is intended to provide clear policy direction regarding these emerging land uses based on considerations including:
•    Land use compatibility;
•    Public health and safety;
•    Fire and emergency response;
•    Infrastructure and utility demands;
•    Noise and operational characteristics;
•    Community compatibility; and
•    The City's substantially built-out development pattern.

The proposed Resolution would not itself amend the West Covina Municipal Code or establish a permanent zoning prohibition. Rather, it would establish the City Council's policy position regarding these uses.

Following adoption of the Resolution, staff will continue to research and evaluate potential regulatory approaches for solidifying and codifying the City's policy, including consideration of appropriate Development Code provisions and other available land use tools. Any proposed regulatory changes would be brought forward separately for consideration in accordance with applicable State law and the City's established procedures.
 

The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form.

The options available to the City Council are as follows:

1. Approve staff's recommendation; or
2. Provide alternative direction.

The Resolution is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the common-sense exemption, because there is no possibility that adoption of this Resolution, in and of itself, will result in a significant effect on the environment. Any future ordinance, Development Code amendment, development regulation, or project implementing or related to this policy shall be evaluated for compliance with CEQA as required by law.