Amazon Circumvents Gilroy Community Vote for AI Data Center Using 45-Year-Old Rules

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has started construction on a 56-acre AI data center in Gilroy, California, circumventing a community vote by adhering to local zoning rules set 45 years ago. The project, located between a Walmart Supercenter and the Gilroy Premium Outlets, has been in the approval process since 2020, with the public comment period ending in 2024—before data centers became a hot topic nationwide. This has left residents like Rosa Rodriguez locked out of the discussion, despite concerns about drought and environmental impact.

Key Details

• Location: 56-acre farmland in Gilroy, CA, about 30 miles southwest of San Jose.
• Zoning loophole: The site adheres to industrial zoning rules established 45 years ago, which do not require a public vote for projects of this scale.
• Approval timeline: Application started in 2020; permitting was delayed at least one year due to disagreements between Amazon and city officials. The public comment period closed in 2024.
• City position: Gilroy City Mayor Greg Bozzo stated that other similar-scale industrial projects, like a food-distribution center, have been approved without resistance.
• Amazon response: Roger Wehner, AWS VP of economic development, said the site went through a long approval process with public notices and comment periods.

This case highlights how legacy zoning rules can allow large infrastructure projects to bypass modern community engagement. For developers tracking AI data center expansion, this is a precedent that could affect planning and community relations in other regions.