As word spread about NAVWAR being considered as a potential site for a data center, the community immediately responded.   A group rallied last week calling for those plans to be scrapped. Others, like Francisco Martinez, are open to the idea of data centers coming to San Diego. “Peo ple don’t want the things too close to the neighborhood, but on the other hand, it’s the present and the future and we need all of that to develop the next step forward in many things,” Martinez said. District 9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, has been a vocal critic of the possibility of the U.S. Navy’s cybersecurity hub becoming what would be the largest data center in California. “The conversation that is happening in NAVWAR is a flashing red light, and we need to think about this as a threat and it can happen in San Diego and one that we need to get ahead of,” Councilmember Elo-Rivera said. He worries the project would impact San Diegans’ energy costs and plans for affordable housing. Martinez thinks if the land is available, developers should be able to move forward. “If it’s a land that is open and has no use for anything else, they can put a bid. It’s fair,” Martinez said. The redevelopment plans extend beyond a data center. Ted Elridge, the project’s CEO, told NBC 7 that they are also exploring a medical center, a university and defense campus, along with a life sciences facility. Elridge also confirmed there have been early talks with energy providers but said there have been no negotiations or agreements. Since NAVWAR is federal property, Elo-Rivera is calling on congress to take the project off the table. This week, San Diego City Council is set to vote on a temporary moratorium on new data centers and the expansion of existing ones. “What we don’t want is a rush to submit permits and get projects going before rules are in place,” Elo-Rivera said. If approved, the initial moratorium would last 45 days, and the city council could vote to extend it once it expires. The moratorium would buy city leaders time while they work to establish regulations with clear guardrails for developers wishing to bring data centers to San Diego. Elo-Rivera said they have submitted a policy proposal and need to start drafting the law. He said they want to ensure the draft has no loopholes before it becomes permanent. Martinez hopes they’re able to reach an agreement that satisfies everyone while moving San Diego forward. “It’s a balance between new technology and new needs, and what people want around their neighborhoods,” Martinez said. Mayor Todd Gloria has signed an executive order to freeze any data center construction, marking what advocates described as a first step addressing concerns about the project. Poway was the first city in the county to ban data centers, earlier this month, citing air quality, noise and water-use concerns, as well as a lack of local long-term job creation because much of a data center is automated. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less