Fairfield Sets Course for Data Center Moratorium Debate as Residents Push Back

Residents from One Lake and beyond filled public comment on Oct. 21, 2026, demanding a moratorium before a roughly 1-million-square-foot data center can move forward by right near their homes. Mayor Rick Vaccaro answered by proposing a one-item special meeting, tentatively set for Nov. 10, where the council could give staff direction on a possible moratorium and zoning limits. The council also approved new fire and EMS (emergency medical services) revenue tools and set five-year federal housing grant priorities.

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• Special meeting on data centers proposed for Nov. 10, with Vice Mayor Pam Bertani pushing to end by-right approvals
• About 10 public commenters raised data center concerns, citing water, power, diesel generators, noise and property values
• $547 fee approved for non-emergency lift calls at licensed care facilities, backed by firefighters
• Fairfield staffs up to administer the Solano County ambulance contract, funded by a $1M annual fee
• Five-year CDBG priorities approved with no opposition, adding a new $25,000 minimum for public service grants

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Data Center Fight Heads to Special Meeting

Why it matters: A data center of roughly 1 million square feet near One Lake homes in Planning Area 6 could proceed by right. That means approval without a discretionary council vote if the project meets existing zoning. No moratorium exists today, and no vote will occur until after the Nov. 3 election.

Where things stand: During council reports, Mayor Rick Vaccaro asked to agendize a one-item special meeting on data centers in the council chamber at about 5 p.m. "I'd like to do it maybe on November 10th, if the council agrees to that," said Mayor Vaccaro.

Vice Mayor Pam Bertani seconded and pushed further. She said she had already prepared a motion.

"I'd also like to discuss an amendment to the general plan or a zoning amendment that would prohibit data centers in Fairfield from being approved by right," said Vice Mayor Bertani.

Staff advised drafting the agenda language broadly enough to cover both a moratorium and by-right zoning changes. No formal vote tally was recorded on the proposal.

The residents' case: Opposition was organized, specific and largely rooted in One Lake.

• One Lake resident Anne Fisher asked for an immediate citywide moratorium and opposed development in Planning Area 6.
• One Lake homeowner Ed Fisher wanted a moratorium until comprehensive regulations exist, citing noise, generators, grid strain and water.
• Jeremy Weber, a southern Vacaville resident and attorney, urged a moratorium covering all unbuilt data centers, including by-right and preapproved projects, renewable for at least two years. He asked council members to raise their hands in support, and Vice Mayor Bertani did.
• Gail Mahoney, a Solano County resident, warned about water use and impacts on valley agriculture.
• Robert Myers asked for transparency on water, electricity and local benefits.

George Kennedy went further. He questioned what council members knew, and when, about the One Lake proposal and any meetings with the developer.

The other side: Not every critic opposed the industry outright. Monty Hoover, a longtime business owner and past Chamber chair, said he is not against data centers in general. He backed a temporary moratorium so the city can adopt ordinances that mitigate impacts and protect Travis Air Force Base. Dave Harrison cautioned the council that discussing the unagendized data center issue could raise Brown Act concerns. The Brown Act is California's open-meetings law.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Nearby homeowners gain a formal venue to press their case. The unnamed developer faces the risk of a pause or new zoning hurdles. The breadth of the agenda language will determine whether the council can act on both tracks in one night. At adjournment, Mayor Vaccaro thanked Vice Mayor Bertani.

What's next: A special meeting is tentatively set for Nov. 10 at about 5 p.m., after the Nov. 3 election.

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Care Facilities to Pay $547 Per Lift Call

Why it matters: Firefighters respond when residents of licensed care facilities fall without injury and simply need help getting up. The new fee aims to cut firefighter injuries and keep engines available for emergencies.

Where things stand: Deputy Fire Chief Rich Llewellyn presented Ordinance 2026-07, which adds Chapter 17B to city code, and Resolution 2026-214. Together they set a fee of $547 per qualifying incident. He cited 2025 guidance from the California Department of Social Services and precedents in Rocklin and El Cajon, and he walked through the cost-recovery method behind the amount.

The fee falls on the facility, not residents. It does not apply when an injury is suspected or the situation is uncertain, and the program includes waivers and appeals.

The other side: Councilmember Doriss Panduro asked whether facilities could avoid 911 altogether. "Is there a reason they don't call the non-emergency number? Is that an option?" she asked. Staff said such a call would likely still generate a fire response.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Stephen Coleman, an engineer paramedic with the FPFA, supported the fee. He cited career-shortening injuries from cumulative lift calls. Firefighters and emergency callers gain capacity, while care facilities absorb a new operating cost.

Councilmember Doug Carr moved and Vice Mayor Bertani seconded a single motion adopting both measures. It passed on a voice vote; no individual tallies were taken.

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Fairfield Takes Over Ambulance Contract Oversight

Why it matters: Fairfield is stepping into a regional role as administrator of Solano County's exclusive ambulance contract. An exclusive operating area is a territory where a single provider holds sole rights to emergency transport.

Where things stand: Deputy Chief Llewellyn said Fairfield received a notice of intent to award the contract. Medic Ambulance continues to provide service. Resolution 2026-213 creates three new positions, including an EMS Coordinator, a Management Analyst II and office specialist support. It also makes the EMS Battalion Chief position permanent.

The cost is just over $496,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 and about $857,000 a year on a recurring basis. A JEPA (joint exercise of powers agency) fee and opioid settlement funds will offset that cost.

"Fairfield will receive a $1 million annual administrative fee intended to support the personnel and resources needed to administer the ambulance contract and related agreements," said Deputy Chief Llewellyn. Staff projects no net general fund impact.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Councilmember Carr moved and Vice Mayor Bertani seconded. The resolution passed on a voice vote with no public comment. The positions take effect only after the county contract is executed.

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CDBG Priorities Set for Next Five Years

Why it matters: The priorities determine which nonprofits qualify for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Where things stand: Senior Housing Project Manager Latonya Terrones presented four priorities: affordable housing, homeless prevention, non-housing community development, and fair housing and administration. The current plan expires June 30, 2027. Staff drew on a "Tell Fairfield What Matters" survey and will keep the city's two-year/three-year funding cycle.

"We're not asking for you to approve the consolidated plan because we're still working on it," said Terrones. Council action covered the priorities, goals and an updated citizen participation plan.

Councilmember Panduro asked about funding caps. Staff said there is no cap on repeat funding, but a $25,000 minimum is proposed for public services. That could squeeze out the smallest grantees.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Vice Mayor Bertani moved and Councilmember Carr seconded Resolutions 2026-215 and 2026-216 (Against: 0). No one spoke during public comment.

What's next: Applications open next week, and the full Consolidated Plan returns around May.

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Heated Public Comment Ends in Removal

Election-season tension ran through general public comment. Dave Harrison and Anna Patero urged support for Measure P, and Harrison also asked for a yes vote on Measure Q. A commenter named Jay urged civility and support for the current council.

Two commenters, Patrick and JJ, made allegations about Councilmember K. Patrice Williams' credentials, nonprofits and conduct. These claims are unproven, and no response was recorded. JJ asked her to post her nonprofits' 990s, the federal tax filings nonprofits submit to the IRS.

Patrick was told his time was up and responded with profanity. "Yeah, he needs to be escorted out," said Mayor Vaccaro. The City Attorney cited Government Code 54957.95 and prior warnings, adding that "the removal from this meeting does not prevent him from coming back."

Separately, one speaker called for repealing the 19th Amendment and made antisemitic and sexist claims. Harrison later condemned the remarks as hate speech.

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Minor Items

• Surplus land: Council declared 2.98 acres at 3365 North Texas Street surplus (Resolution 2026-217), starting the state-required sale process.
• Annexation: Horizon Self Storage joined CFD 2012-2, a special tax district funding public safety and parks, after a ballot drew two of two possible yes votes.
• Tobacco crackdown: Eleven decoy operations found 11 sales to minors and seized more than 4,500 illegal products, funded by a state grant.
• Tourism: Visit Fairfield reported $255.5M in 2025 visitor spending, up 5%, plus $17.5M in tax revenue and about 2,090 jobs.
• Appointments and consent: Council seated Tezra Norman (Planning Commission) and Shafiya Khan and Olivia McKinley (Youth Commission). The consent calendar passed by voice vote (Absent: 1, Councilmember Scott Tonnesen).

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Looking Ahead

The winter shelter at Bay North Church opens Nov. 1. Voters decide Measures P and Q and the District 1 race on Nov. 3. The data center special meeting is tentatively set for Nov. 10.