IBM Almaden Rezoning Puts CEQA Review at Risk
A contentious rezoning proposal at IBM Almaden in San Jose has raised concerns about the future of environmental review under California's CEQA law.
On August 18, residents and environmental groups attended a City Council meeting to request a two-week delay on the proposed zoning change from Planned Development to Industrial Park. They wanted time for the city to finalize its data-center standards and examine the implications of SB 131, a 2025 state law that could exempt certain projects from CEQA review.
Councilmembers Kamei and Campos supported the request, but District 10 Councilmember George Casey dismissed community input as ineffective. 'Community input is not going to actually change anything,' he said.
However, CEQA review at IBM Almaden may no longer be assured under SB 131, which exempts qualifying 'advanced manufacturing' projects from environmental impact analysis when built on industrially zoned land. The rezoning of IBM Almaden to Industrial Park renders the site vulnerable to this exemption.
'Advanced manufacturing' is a broad term that could encompass hazardous operations such as rare-earth processing, metal forging, and biopharmaceutical production. If SB 131 applies, there would be no environmental impact report examining risks or alternatives, leaving the public without a voice in project decisions.