Judge clears way for April 7 Imperial County Board meeting on data center

Superior Court of California Judge L. Brooks Anderholt denied the City of Imperial's request for a temporary restraining order, clearing the way for the Imperial County Board of Supervisors to proceed with an April 7 meeting. At this meeting, the board is scheduled to vote on a lot merger for the proposed Imperial data center. Alene Taber, attorney for the City of Imperial, argued that the meeting would violate county ordinances, specifically 90103.09 and 90103.08, which require a report or recommendation from the Planning Commission before the Board of Supervisors can adopt a plan or land use permit. Taber asserted that the Planning Commission concluded its hearing without rendering a decision or making a CEQA determination, making the board's vote a violation. However, Judge Anderholt ruled that approving the city's application would be unconstitutional, stating the court could only intervene after the board takes action. Data center developer Sebastian Rucci opposed the city's request to stay the hearing. Rucci stated that the lot merger procedure is straightforward, focused on eliminating internal lot lines rather than changing land use rights, and therefore cannot cause irreparable harm. He also highlighted that revised plans for the project were submitted a month prior, reducing generators from 132 to 20 and adding a 20-foot berm to mitigate noise impacts, in an effort to address community concerns. The City of Imperial officials did not respond to requests for comment.