Activists in Oakland are organizing opposition to a proposed data center development by Behring Companies, viewing it as an economic and environmental threat. The campaign, led by groups including the Party for Socialism and Liberation, seeks a temporary moratorium and permanent ban on data centers, while proponents argue such projects could boost the city's struggling economy.
California's inclusionary zoning policy, which requires developers to set aside units for low-income renters, may be counterproductive. A UC Irvine study found the policy reduces annual residential construction by nearly a third and costs approximately $800,000 per affordable unit in excess rents from market-rate renters, potentially higher than direct financing alternatives.