Santa Cruz County Rejects Public Vote Proposal for AI Data Centers

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors rejected a proposal that would have given voters a say over AI data centers in unincorporated parts of the county, according to the Pajaronian. The measure would have directed county staff to prepare an ordinance and ballot proposal for the March 2028 election.

Under the proposal, amendments to the county General Plan that allowed the zoning, permitting, construction or operation of AI data centers and other intensive computing facilities would have required majority voter approval. Supervisor Justin Cummings cited electricity and water use, noise, traffic, pollution and land requirements among his concerns.

Board Chair Monica Martinez and supervisors Manu Koenig and Kim De Serpa opposed the proposal. They said the county should gather more information before adopting a permanent policy for changing technology. County staff said any proposed data center would already face an application process and environmental review.

No AI data centers are currently proposed in Santa Cruz County. Koenig also said high land and construction costs make a large facility unlikely in the area.