HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 05 2026 Public Comment - Gilroy Data Center - Britt SmithCAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening
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From:Britt Smith
To:Public Comments; City Clerk
Subject:EXTERNAL - Public Comment: Gilroy Data Center project
Date:Monday, January 5, 2026 12:52:36 PM
Good evening to my neighbors on the Council and in the gallery,
My name is Britt Smith and I first moved to Gilroy in 2001 to reside in the home my father
purchased in 1979. I attended Ascencion Solorsano Middle School, was an exchange
student ambassador to our Sister City in Takko-Machi, Japan, and graduated from Gilroy
High School in 2011.
Though I have moved for educational and career pursuits, I have always considered Gilroy
to be my home, returning often and most recently moving back in 2024. Since then, I’ve
had the opportunity to witness the work of this council, and I want to take a moment to
recognize your collective contributions to our community.
Tonight I am here with inquiries to Council in regards to the Gilroy Data Center project,
reported on by the Gilroy Dispatch on November 13, 2025.
The article details the project plan, approved on July 3, 2025 by City of Gilroy Community
Development Director Sharon Goei. The 92-page approval of the Architectural and Site
Review Permit sent by Ms. Goei, residing in the East Bay, to Amazon’s Program Manager
Noel Yetter, residing in Seattle, Washington, outlines the project as a 218,000-square-foot
data center, that “will have a significant effect on the environment” though does not answer
the following questions:
What is the projected daily water usage for this facility in gallons?
This information is not cited in the EIR nor in the approval email. According
to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, in 2025 it was reported that
centers of a similar scale “can consume up to 5 million gallons per day,
equivalent to the water use of a town populated by [up to] 50,000 people.”
That’s over 1.8 billion gallons annually used by a single facility, over 60% of
what the rest of Gilroy uses annually.
What are the risks associated with water safety, including human health
and agricultural productivity?
The Valley Water response to the DEIR by Ms. Gloria Sciara notes
“groundwater supplies are affected by both recharge and from groundwater
pumping. There is no explanation [in the draft] about groundwater use by the
project and whether that use will affect groundwater supplies.” In their
response, the City of Gilroy notes that there was no adjustment made to the
draft and took no additional action.
The project site is above the Llagas Subbasin, an 87-square-mile
groundwater reserve that extends from Morgan Hill in the north to the Pájaro
River bordering Hollister in the south.
How would the City of Gilroy be responsible for an emergency should
one occur on the site?
As of 2019 the City of Gilroy Fire Department did not have adequate staffing,
continues to be understaffed as of 2026, currently unable to meet City
Council’s response time mandate
The data center will use lithium ion batteries on site, which can take days or
weeks to extinguish, as evident in the 2025 Moss Landing Vistra Power Plant
Fire which took place less than 30 miles away.
Fumes from data center fires contain debris and chemicals that can
immediately impact air quality and increases long-term risks for illnesses,
disease, and fertility.
On behalf of 250* signees, I ask that these three key questions be answered by the Council
at the January 26, 2026 meeting. I look forward to collaborating and once again thank you
for serving our community.
*Number of signees noted is at time of writing. I will adjust the count accordingly to be
accurate at time of speaking.