San Diego Moves to Pause Data Centers as Officials Weigh New Rules

San Diego officials took two steps on Thursday aimed at slowing the arrival of data centers, after reports that a large facility could be built in downtown San Diego. Mayor Todd Gloria posted a photo on X of himself signing an executive order that temporarily bans such projects. "San Diego is putting clear rules in place before we allow data centers in our city," he wrote.

Later that day, Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera, Joe LaCava and Kent Lee gathered outside City Hall to announce a proposed city law that would set requirements for data centers built under the city's jurisdiction. Elo-Rivera said a pause alone is not enough. "We need more than a pause. We need laws in place to protect us from a tidal wave of harm," he said, pointing to concerns that these projects raise residents' utility bills and pollute the air and water.

The project that prompted the response would be built on federal land owned by the U.S. Navy, at a site known as NAVWAR. A private developer, Manchester Financial Group, is exploring the idea. The lawmakers acknowledged their actions would not be enough to stop it. "The city can't stop this project on its own. Congress can," Elo-Rivera said. He urged San Diego's congressional delegation to press the Navy in writing to rule out a data center on the 70-acre redevelopment site near the Midway District.

In a separate matter, a criminal case against a former executive of a county contractor has grown. Jeff Knox, husband of Amy Knox, the former chief operating officer of the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to 15 felony charges. They include receiving stolen funds, embezzlement from the coalition, theft, filing false tax returns and mortgage fraud. He is also accused of knowingly receiving vacation packages that his wife obtained to be auctioned for a different nonprofit she once helped lead. An attorney for Amy Knox called the charges against her husband "thin and nonexistent."

Amy Knox is accused of spending public money on items ranging from plastic surgery to purebred dogs, as well as allegedly forging an invoice to the county. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The county canceled its contracts with the coalition in June 2025. Those contracts covered distributing an opioid overdose reversal drug and testing drugs for deadly fentanyl.

In South County, National City is struggling with its cannabis program. City leaders voted five years ago to legalize recreational sales, but the expected return has not materialized. Two cannabis companies have sued the city, and sales have been sluggish. The statewide rise in illegal cannabis sales is a contributing factor, and the city's rules required dispensaries to open in a relatively out-of-the-way part of town. Rather than allow new cannabis businesses, city leaders are now looking at how to help the existing ones.

Meanwhile, the debate over Flock surveillance technology is heating up at San Diego City Hall. A City Council committee on Wednesday voted to advance a motion to cancel the contract to the full Council. Gloria has called the effort a "mistake" and may try to veto it if it passes without a supermajority. Councilmember Henry Foster said he expects to secure six votes. Police Chief Scott Wahl has argued that removing the system will "make it harder for our officers to solve crimes, find suspects and deliver justice for victims."

Foster also suggested the chief's job could be at stake. Asked after the meeting whether Wahl should be removed, he said he has not seen efforts to hold officers accountable and that if the chief does not do so, "we need to make some change."