Modesto residents and at least one council member are raising concerns after learning a prominent data center developer had approached the city about potential projects — even as city officials stress no formal applications have been submitted and the municipal code currently does not permit data centers.
Community unease over environmental and utility impacts
In recent public comments and social media posts, neighbors voiced opposition to the idea of data centers being located in Modesto, citing potential strain on water and electrical systems and the broader environmental implications of such facilities.
- Residents: Kayla Delgadillo told reporters, "I don't want a data center here, and I'm sure a lot of Modesto residents could agree."
- Local parent voices: Elizabeth Miranda-Morales said she grew up in the city and did not want her children to "grow up in an area affected by a data center."
- Neighboring community reaction: Bonnie Arbuckle, a Riverbank resident, said simply, "They can't put one here, they can't."
"I don't have any intention of meeting about data centers. I have really strong concerns about their environmental impacts, concerns about their electrical usage and the impact on rates that it would have for residents of Modesto, concerns about water use." — District 3 City Council Member Chris Ricci
Council Member Chris Ricci publicly acknowledged being approached by NorthPoint Development, a Kansas City-based developer known for data center projects elsewhere. Ricci said he would not meet with the company and detailed his concerns about how a data center could affect rates and utilities for Modesto residents.
City response and planning context
The city of Modesto released a statement confirming that it has received inquiries from companies about potentially building data centers inside city limits, but emphasized that no formal applications have been filed. Officials reiterated that the current municipal code does not allow data centers, making construction under present rules unlikely.
Changing the city's land-use regulations would require a formal amendment to the municipal code, which typically involves public review and multiple approvals, including the City Council. Ricci noted that such a change would not be simple and described the possibility as "very unlikely" under current conditions.
| Issue | Current status |
|---|---|
| Developer interest | Inquiries reported; no applications filed |
| Municipal code | Data centers not currently permitted |
| Local official stance | District 3 Council member expressed opposition to meetings about data centers |
Local consequences and next steps
Residents’ concerns center on three interrelated areas often cited in debates over data centers: electricity demand, which can affect utility rates and local grid capacity; water usage, especially for cooling systems in some facilities; and land-use and environmental impacts, including noise, traffic and local air quality during construction and operation. Those concerns drove vocal opposition at public meetings and on social media.
Because no formal application has been submitted, Modesto officials currently face a question of how to respond to speculative proposals and public anxiety. Options typically available to city leaders include:
- Maintaining the current prohibition in the municipal code.
- Pursuing an amendment to allow data centers in defined zones, which would require environmental review and council approval.
- Adopting interim policies or guidelines to clarify review standards if applications were to arrive.
At this stage, the clear takeaway for residents is that any change would be deliberate and public. The city has signaled that without an application, there is no active permitting process underway. Meanwhile, community members and at least one council member have positioned themselves against introducing data centers into Modesto under current circumstances.
As Modesto continues to field inquiries, officials and residents alike will watch for formal proposals that would trigger environmental review, public hearings and decisions by elected leaders — a process that could ultimately determine whether data centers become part of the city’s industrial and economic landscape.
