Data Center Developer Withdraws Monterey Park Proposal as Measure NDC Heads to June Ballot

HMC Stratcap 1977 Saturn, LLC has formally withdrawn its application to construct a data center at 1977 Saturn Street in Monterey Park, California. This decision comes after several months of strong public opposition spearheaded by local residents and groups such as No Data Center MPK, co-founded by Roxana Farahani. Farahani stated that the withdrawal demonstrates the effectiveness of community organizing against large corporations. The developer also indicated it would not oppose Measure NDC, a ballot initiative scheduled for June 2, which proposes a city-wide prohibition on data centers. If approved by voters, Monterey Park would become the first city in California to enact such a ban via a ballot measure. Despite the withdrawal, campaign manager Je-Show Yang for Yes on Measure NDC urged voters to support the measure and for the City Council to pass a strong ordinance ban at upcoming special meetings in April and May, highlighting that the withdrawal alone does not guarantee long-term restrictions on data center development. Measure NDC has garnered endorsements from Congressmember Judy Chu and State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez. Concerns about data center energy consumption, environmental impacts, and public health have prompted several neighboring jurisdictions, including Montebello, El Monte, and unincorporated Los Angeles County, to consider similar limitations or bans on data center development.