HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/16/2026 - Item 6.1 - Mary Yates1
Stefan Mercer
To:Stefan Mercer
Subject:RE: EXTERNAL - Renewed Request for Introduction and Adoption of an Interim Urgency
Ordinance
From: M Yates <yates4mac@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 7:49 PM
To: Planning Division (Public) <planningdivision@cityofgilroy.org>
Cc: City Clerk <CityClerk@cityofgilroy.org>; Planning Commissioner Brian Dauenhauer
<Brian.Dauenhauer@cityofgilroy.org>; Planning Commissioner Patricia Bentson <Patricia.Bentson@cityofgilroy.org>;
Planning Commissioner Payman Khodabandeh <Payman.Khodabandeh@cityofgilroy.org>; Planning Commissioner
Martha Martinez <Martha.Martinez@cityofgilroy.org>; Planning Commissioner Stefanie Elle
<stefanie.elle@cityofgilroy.org>; Planning Commissioner Monica Valdez <monica.valdez@cityofgilroy.org>
Subject: EXTERNAL - Renewed Request for Introduction and Adoption of an Interim Urgency Ordinance
To: planningdivision@cityofgilroy.org
Re: Planning Commission Meeting of July 16, 2026, Item 6.1
July 15, 2026
Chair and Members of the Planning Commission
City of Gilroy
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
Via email:
Brian.Dauenhauer@cityofgilroy.org <Brian.Dauenhauer@cityofgilroy.org>, Patricia.Bentson@cityofgilroy.org <
Patricia.Bentson@cityofgilroy.org>, Payman.Khodabandeh@cityofgilroy.org <Payman.Khodabandeh@cityofgil
roy.org>, martha.martinez@cityofgilroy.org <martha.martinez@cityofgilroy.org>, stefanie.elle@cityofgilroy.org
<stefanie.elle@cityofgilroy.org>, monica.valdez@cityofgilroy.org <monica.valdez@cityofgilroy.org>
This is a renewed request for introduction and adoption of an Interim Urgency Ordinance under
Government Code 65858 imposing a citywide moratorium on new data center land use applications
that have been or potentially will be filed, including the current Amazon Data Center project.
It is the duty of ALL City employees, regardless of their post, to act in the BEST interest of the
residents of this community whom they serve.
We are in new and tumultuous times with ICE, data centers, and AI. Employees can no longer just
rubber stamp something because it seems to meet the current rules. Everything needs to be looked
at and questioned as to HOW it will potentially affect the citizens of Gilroy.
At the June 15, 2026 Gilroy City Council Meeting, Mayor Bozzo directed staff to come back with
recommendations for improved outreach to Gilroy residents. How is “public notice” to be given so that
it reaches the broadest possible number of community members to be implemented when we have
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nearly a 62,000 population now, and WHY does it say “except that newspaper publication is not
required”?
The recommendation in the staff report also falls short of updating the City’s process of approving
major projects that could prove detrimental to the well-being of the residents and the surrounding
environment.
The Staff's recommendation does NOT reflect what the people have asked for. A second data center
could pass AGAIN with 1 signature with “staff's recommendation" because it allows Staff's own
"subjective" determination and NOT a clear objective standard. The trigger that requires a planning
commission review MUST not be left up to staff to determine but MUST be tied to clear definitive
size/scope or other definitive standards.
Furthermore, any large project, whether reviewed under a certified Environmental Impact
Report that produces significant and unavoidable impacts requiring a Statement of Overriding
Considerations or not should come before the Planning Commission for review.
Additionally, the Appeal Fee for Architectural and Site Review Permits of $25110.75 should be
eliminated, waived, or reduced to a minimal amount that most any resident of any income level could
easily pay. As it currently stands it is a barrier to public hearing rights putting a financial pre-condition
on the exercise of a public participation right.
Therefore I formally request that the Planning Commission NOT recommend adoption of Ordinance Z
26-01 in its current form. Instead I ask that the Commission continue this item and direct staff to
return with the amended verbiage incorporating the proposals stated above, and notify the City
Council of a recommendation to immediately adopt an Interim Urgency Ordinance under Go vernment
Code 65858 imposing a citywide moratorium on new data center land use applications that have
been or potentially will be filed, including the current Amazon Data Center project.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Yates
Gilroy Resident