Pittsburg City Manager Mandates Public Hearings for Data Centers

Pittsburg City Manager Darin Gale pledged on August 4, 2026, that all future data center proposals must undergo public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. This policy removes the previous step of zoning administrator approval, ensuring direct legislative and public oversight for such developments.

The decision follows intense community opposition to a three-phase data center project by AVAIO Digital at the Pittsburg Technology Park. While the first phase received land use approvals in 2024, the city has not yet issued construction permits. Residents have raised concerns regarding noise, resource constraints, and pollution from diesel generators, leading some to call for a total moratorium on further development.

To rebuild community trust, the city is forming a citizens advisory committee consisting of two councilmembers and 10 to 20 community members. This committee will draft a white paper to establish formal standards for future facilities. Project proponents, largely union workers, argue the facility will provide 30 permanent jobs and generate significant annual tax and energy fee revenues.