Rio Vista Moves to Ban Data Centers, Eyes Downtown Entertainment Zone

The Rio Vista City Council took its most aggressive land-use stance in years, directing staff to draft both an emergency moratorium and a permanent ban on data centers — before a single developer has even applied. In a wide-ranging three-and-a-half-hour meeting, the council also approved a $3.8 million sheriff's contract, launched a pilot entertainment zone for downtown, and received a sobering water system report showing the city 21.8% over its state conservation target.

• Council unanimously moves toward banning data centers, citing water scarcity, energy demands, and incompatibility with the Delta city's character

• $3.8M law enforcement contract approved for year one of a three-year deal with the Solano County Sheriff's Office, with graduated overhead rates

• Downtown entertainment zone pilot advances, with staff directed to draft an ordinance allowing open alcohol consumption during events from the waterfront to 4th Street

• City exceeds state water conservation targets by 21.8%, as critical Well 17 remains about a year from coming online

• California Forever watch: a potential state budget trailer bill could fast-track a shipbuilding and foundry project near Rio Vista

Rio Vista joined a growing wave of California cities moving to block data center development — and it did so before a single application landed on the city manager's desk.