City Engagement

Gilroy:

As many of you are aware, construction has begun on an Amazon data center in northeast Gilroy at 8050 Camino Arroyo. Many residents have told us they first learned about the data center after the construction had begun.

This project was approved through the City’s established land-use and environmental review process. However, we recognize that the process did not create the level of community awareness and discussion residents expected for a project of this size. We are taking steps to address those concerns.

On Monday, August 17, the City Council will consider a staff and Planning Commission recommendation to strengthen public participation and review for certain large development projects in the future. The proposed ordinance would:

• Create a more formal and predictable opportunity for residents to learn about major projects and provide input before a decision is made.
• Require an applicant-hosted community meeting for new commercial and industrial projects of 15,000 square feet or larger, along with mailed notice to residents and property owners within 1,000 feet. Newspaper notice would be also required, at least 14 days before the meeting.
• Require Planning Commission review at a publicly noticed hearing when an Environmental Impact Report identifies significant and unavoidable environmental impacts. Those projects would no longer be approved administratively.

The City is also committed to ensuring that the data center complies with all requirements and conditions of approval, both during construction and in its ongoing operations. We will continue to provide updates and respond to community questions through the Email Express and at www.cityofgilroy.org/datacenter.

While the data center project was approved in accordance with the City’s existing development requirements, we recognize that there is an opportunity to create broader community awareness earlier in the process.

We will continue to look for ways to engage residents and provide meaningful opportunities for public input as we work together to shape Gilroy’s future and protect our community’s quality of life. 

Sincerely,

Matt Morley

City Administrator

What happens to the water that is used for cooling? Where does it go?

The water used for evaporative cooling is discharged into the sewer system, which goes back to the sewer treatment plant for treatment so it can be reused for recycled water delivery and groundwater recharge purposes. The water used for the data center cooling doesn't contact any type of machinery, equipment, or batteries. 



Once the new recycled water system that AWS is funding and constructing is complete, the Gilroy community and those served by SCRWA and Valley Water will benefit from the additional recycled water system capacity. This expanded recycled-water capacity will help conserve potable water by allowing recycled water to serve more non-drinking uses.

How much noise will the data center generate, and will nearby residents notice it?

A noise and vibration study evaluated the potential impacts of the data center. The study estimated that noise from normal data center operations would be approximately 56 to 58 decibels at the nearest homes, located more than 1,000 feet from the facility. For comparison, existing noise from Highway 101 near these homes is estimated at approximately 65 to 70 decibels.



Because the projected data center noise would be below existing highway noise, the study concluded that the facility is not expected to cause a noticeable increase in neighborhood noise.

What is being done at the state level to regulate data centers?

California lawmakers are considering several bills intended to increase oversight of data centers and address concerns about their energy use, water demand, noise and potential costs to utility customers. The City of Gilroy strongly supports the additional transparency, accountability, and regulatory safeguards these proposals would provide.

As of August 2026, the following proposals remain under consideration and have not yet become law:

Whether you join a City Council Meeting on Zoom or in-person, our goal is to provide our community with equal opportunities to participate and be well informed.

  

To support our multilingual community, written translation is available for all participants. 

In- person attendees can access live translation services on their personal devices by scanning the QR code provided at the meeting or by visiting www.cityofgilroy.org/translate and selecting their preferred language. Written translation also appears on the television monitors in Council Chambers.

Virtual attendees can follow the same steps; scan the QR code on the screen to use translation services on your mobile device or visit www.cityofgilroy.org/translate and select your preferred language. 

For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how live translation services work, visit the City of Gilroy website.

Driving through a school zone?  

Don’t let the new speed limit surprise you.  

15 or 20 miles per hour is the new speed limit in private and public school zones. Watch for posted signs as you enter school zones to know whether the 15 or 20 mph limit applies.

What happens if you don’t slow down? Police officers will begin giving warnings to drivers who exceed the new limits. Citations will be issued as enforcement increases over the next few weeks. 

Do your part and help keep our students and families safe. It’s a shared responsibility. 

Gilroy has transitioned from at-large elections to district-based elections. This November, Districts 4, 5, and 6 will be on the ballot. Registered voters living in these districts will vote for candidates running to represent their specific district. 

Here’s how the election schedule works: 

November 2026: Districts 4, 5, and 6 will be on the ballot. 

November 2028: Districts 1, 2, and 3, along with the Mayor’s seat, will be on the ballot. The Mayor will continue to be elected at-large by all Gilroy voters. 

All registered voters can vote at any polling location in Santa Clara County, even if you are participating in the district election.

Mail-in ballots can be returned at any ballot drop box in the county or mailed from any USPS location.

Find out which candidates have qualified for the ballot.

Find out which district you live in.

The City of Gilroy Housing and Community Services Division provides resources and support to help residents access affordable housing.  

Below is the current list, as of August 10, 2026, of affordable apartment options in our community for both the general public and seniors. To confirm the latest availability, please contact each apartment community.   

• Connell Apartments -1 available unit Email:cristina.campozano@edenhousing.org 
  Phone: 408.846.9490 

• The Cannery Apartments - 7 available units 
  Email:thecanneryapartments@wshmgmt.com
  Phone: 669-500-7315 

• Glen Loma Ranch Senior Apartments -1 available unit 
  Email: caguirre@apertopm.com 
  Phone: 408-770-5245 

• Monticelli Apartments - 2 available units  
  Email: monticelli@edenhousing.org 
  Phone: 408-848-0003 

• Wheeler Manor - 2 available units 
  Email: jamie.sanchez@edenhousing.org 
  Phone: 408-847-5490 

To view a full list of affordable apartment options, visit the City of Gilroy Housing and Community Services webpage.

Looking for a basic bike tune-up? Stop by the Gilroy Library on Friday, August 28 for free bike repairs. This service provides simple fixes such as brake adjustments, tuning gears and repairing flat tires. 

Space is limited and service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early. 

Event Details 

Bike Repair at the Gilroy Library,
350 West 6th St. 

Friday, August 28, 2026 

10:00 AM- 12:00 PM 



Everyone is welcome!  

For more information on this event, visit the Gilroy Library webpage.

The Christopher High School Aquatics Center will be closed for all activities from Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, August 23 due to time-sensitive GUSD swimming pool maintenance work. 



Regular weekend operations will resume on Saturday, August 29. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding.  

For more information about pool hours, swim lessons, and private party rentals, visit www.gilroyswim.com.

The Community Development Department recently conducted a fee study to review its user and regulatory fees, including fees collected by Planning, Building, Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials, Code Enforcement, Housing, and specialized Business License inspection fees.

This study does not include assessment, impact fees, fines, franchise fees, taxes, or utility rates.

The fees were simplified to help streamline the permitting process and ensure charges accurately reflect the services provided. Most proposed fees aim to achieve full cost recovery. 

You’re invited to review the proposed fee schedule on Wednesday, August 19 at 10:00 AM or Thursday, August 20 at 3:00 PM in the Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna St. Both sessions will include the same presentation. A similar presentation was held in May at the Developer Roundtable event. During the information session, a regional municipality fee comparison will also be shared. 

The proposed Fee Schedule and Fee Study are available online for your review. You may submit a Comment Form about the proposed fee schedule by Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM. 

The Fee Schedule will be presented this fall to City Council for consideration and potential adoption, effective January 1, 2027. 

For questions, email Senior Management Analyst Monica Sendejas or call (408)846-0266.

Keeping our city beautiful is everyone’s responsibility.

Dispose of all items properly and place them in the correct bin. 

Is it garbage? Put it in a garbage bin. 

Is it too big for the bin? Call Recology at (408) 842-3358 to schedule a bulky item pick-up.

Is it hazardous waste? Make an appointment at www.hhw.org to drop it off at the Santa Clara County Hazardous Waste disposal site.  

Dumping any of these items in the public right-of-way is always illegal. Don’t do it! 

If you encounter illegal dumping of any waste within the City of Gilroy limits and public areas—whether it's oil, furniture, or appliances—you can report it using GilroyConnect. Reports will be prioritized based on the details provided and staff availability.  

Let’s work together to keep Gilroy clean and green! 

The City of Gilroy’s Office of Emergency Management invites you to join our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hybrid and in-person training this Fall. This free, 20-hour course, will equip you with essential skills to help your family, neighbors, and community during a disaster. Attendance is required for all days. 

Hybrid Training Dates 

(via Zoom) 

Tuesdays and Thursdays 

Sept 29, Oct 1, Oct 6, Oct 8, Oct 13, Oct 15, Oct 20 and Oct 22 

6:30 PM- 8:30 PM 

In-person Training Dates 

Saturday, October 24 

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

Location: To be determined 

🔗 Sign Up Today 

What You'll Learn: 

✅ Local disaster preparedness tips 

✅ Fire safety 

✅ Light search and rescue 

✅ Team organization & communication 

✅ Damage assessment 

✅ Disaster medical operations 

✅ Disaster psychology 

By completing this course, you'll also have the opportunity to join Gilroy’s Emergency Management Volunteer program as a CERT team member. Participation is optional, but your new skills will make a difference wherever you choose to use them! 

Questions? Contact Andrew Young at Andrew.Young@cityofgilroy.org 

For additional details, please visit the City of Gilroy Emergency Preparedness webpage. 

The City of Gilroy Public Works Department is currently seeking a full-time Environmental Programs Analyst to support the City's environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives.

Under the general direction of the Environmental Programs Manager, the Analyst will manage a variety of environmental programs, projects, budgets, research, regulatory reporting, and administrative assignments requiring strong analytical skills and a thorough understanding of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. 

Join our team! Apply today. www.cityofgilroy.org/jobs 

Application Closes August 26, 2026. 

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts about our community’s recreation programs, what you enjoy, what’s missing, and what you hope to see in the future.

Whether you stopped by our booth during National Night Out, joined us at a community open house, or participated in a focus group, your input truly helps shape the future of recreation in Gilroy. 

If you weren’t able to attend, there’s still plenty of time to get involved.

You can continue to share feedback throughout the project or participate online at www.cityofgilroy.org/RecAssessment.