Los Angeles County’s planning director Thursday ordered an immediate prohibition on the development of large-scale data centers that power artificial intelligence in unincorporated areas of the county.
Department of Regional Planning Director Amy Bodek issued the directive in a memorandum Thursday, saying it is intended to serve as interim guidance for planning staff while the county moves toward codifying the prohibition in its zoning regulations.
Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda Solis said she introduced a motion in April addressing public health and environmental concerns surrounding data centers. The motion was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors.
“I introduced it in response to concerns raised by San Gabriel Valley residents who were understandably concerned about the effects of data centers in their communities, concerns that have since been reflected nationwide,” Solis said in a statement Thursday.
“As a necessary next step to address these concerns, the County’s report back on that motion identified zoning changes that would prohibit these facilities. The need for such a ban has only been further underscored by alarming developments from the AI sector on catastrophic impacts the technology may have on humanity,” Solis added.
Solis said she intends to bring additional actions before the Board of Supervisors to implement recommendations from the departments of Regional Planning and Public Health to amend the county’s zoning code and prohibit data centers powering artificial intelligence in unincorporated areas.
In the meantime, the Department of Regional Planning’s guidance will prohibit such facilities while the zoning amendment process moves forward, Solis said.
She thanked county departments, residents and other stakeholders who raised concerns about data centers and said she remains committed to ensuring technological growth does not come at the expense of public health, environmental protections or residents’ quality of life.