(HAYWARD, CA.) – The STACK SVY03A Data Center Campus project was approved by Hayward’s Planning Commission in the spring of 2025.
Located at 26062 Eden Landing Road, the project features a three-story data center, generator yard, switching yard, and other structures to support the facility.
In order to mitigate the city’s height limit on the project, the developers of the data center offered a $2M Public Benefits Package, which the city accepted.
Since its initial proposal, many of Hayward’s residents have expressed their opinions regarding the project.
One document from the city’s website contains earlier comments on the project ranging from 2023 to the spring of 2025.
PE Principal Owner Tim Lindfelt expressed his support for the project both shortly after its introduction and once more when it had moved up the approval process.
The primary reason behind his initial stance was that it would increase the number of their customers.
In his second expression of approval, submitted about a year and a half after his first, Lindfelt added that the construction of the data center would increase the number of jobs in the area.
Photo Credit: https://hayward.granicus.com/player/clip/2169?view_id=1&meta_id=195681&redirect=true / Attachment XI Public Correspondence
Similarly, Crave Subs General Manager Mohammed Suleman expressed that the project could bring new employees to the area, benefiting existing businesses in turn.
Other business owners, however, had a very different experience with the project than the two above.
CEO of Soapy Faith Krystal James was required to relocate her business in response to the data center, resulting in financial strain.
“We don't know when we have to move, [...] this is going to be a cost that we can not afford as a small business. To tell a business they have to relocate with no financial assistance is ridiculous. [There] will definitely [be] a major impact on our small business [without it].”
Habibis Birria Owner Reem Jada was not required to relocate, but was still negatively impacted by the project due to the beginning of construction, the amount of walkable space near her business decreased enough that the business’ customers decreased as well, which led to struggles to pay rent and their employees.
Other residents were more focused on the environmental impacts of the project.
Member of the Mission Peak Conservancy Kelly Abreu submitted an email to Hayward city staff and the California Energy Commission (CEC) advocating for the use of sustainable backup generators instead of the proposed diesel backup generators.
In her email, she included examples of companies successfully switching from diesel generators to more sustainable alternatives.
She concluded her email with one last call to action.
“The Commission has an opportunity to encourage adoption of cleaner technologies that align with California's environmental leadership. Rather than perpetuating outdated solutions, this project could demonstrate how data centers can support grid reliability while advancing sustainability goals.”
Even after the project was passed, many residents were still concerned with the data center’s environmental impacts and other issues, such as the fact that it was originally classified as an "office building".
Taking these concerns into consideration, OpGov.News reporter Madison Vinas contacted the Hayward Planning Commission and City Council.
Photo Credit: Madison Vinas
Included in the city’s response, authored by Assistant City Manager Mary Thomas, was a link to this collection of documents related to the project.
Within these documents is a record of public comment, a 491-page environmental review conducted by the CEC, and a video with more public comment at the timestamp 1:20:00.
Thomas pointed out that ten people voiced support for the project at the given timestamp.
Many of these supporters were carpenters and similar workers, who were very supportive of the project for its propensity to create new jobs for the community.
Several also mentioned being excited about an apprenticeship that the construction of the project would provide.
As for the environmental review, the CEC concluded that all identified environmental impacts for this project were less than significant.
Photo Credit: Madison Vinas
Even with the past supportive public comments and the green light from the CEC regarding environmental impacts, many Hayward residents still have strong negative feelings toward the project.
These were voiced at the city’s planning commission meeting on Jun. 25.
Mimi Dean had environmental concerns beyond the resources the facility would consume.
According to her, the data center is near enough to the shoreline that it could raise concern for the endangered bird species native to the area.
Additionally, she made strong remarks about the data center benefiting people who do not live in Hayward.
“Why are we putting things in for people who do not live in Hayward? [...] We are throwing our residents under the bus. We’re throwing our animals under the bus. We’re throwing our habitat under the bus. I really hope you guys understand what you have done.”
Similarly to other speakers concerned with the environment, Tyler Dragoni felt that the commission did not research the effects of such a center nor reach out to the community.
He was further disappointed in the planning commission’s acceptance of the $2M benefits package, as he considered it far too small. What was more outrageous to Dragoni was that some members were, according to him, uncomfortable with receiving any kind of benefit packages.
Even more passionate about both the environmental impacts and the perceived oversight of the residents by the planning commission was Tatia. She opened by stating she was involved with a staff report on the project while former Council Member Francisco Zermano was still on the council.
Tatia went on to acknowledge that while there are data centers already in the city, this particular data center is planning on using 56,000 gallons of water a day.
“Do none of you even live here?” She asked. “Why would the seven of you [decide] that we can trade our clean air, our clean water for what? A $2 million benefits package, which is basically like crumbs considering what they're giving everybody else.”
She equated this acceptance to the planning commission not caring about its residents, calling for more data centers to enter Hayward due to their low prices.
Tatia concluded her statement by citing another statistic regarding the facility’s resource consumption.
“It [has] a 72 megawatt capacity. That's 1,612.4 megawatt hours. The average house only produces 20 to 30 kilowatt hours. Do you guys go over these numbers before you make these decisions? I honestly think it would be best for all of you to resign. This is ridiculous, and I have nothing else to say.”
To add or correct any information in this report, please contact me at madison.v@lead4earth.org.
0
0
Comments