Voters in Southern California city favor permanent data centers ban
Voters in Monterey Park, California, overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure to permanently ban data centers within city limits. This decision follows months of community opposition to a proposed hyperscale data center development by HMC StratCap, which subsequently withdrew its application. The ban, believed to be the nation's first implemented via ballot initiative, aims to protect air quality, water resources, and public health.
Voters in Monterey Park, California, have made history by overwhelmingly approving Measure NDC, a ballot initiative that enacts a permanent citywide ban on data centers. As of June 3, approximately 86% of votes were in favor of the measure, which amends the city's general plan and land use framework to prohibit such facilities. This action, believed to be the first of its kind in the United States, followed months of vocal opposition from residents and community groups.
The ballot measure was put forth by the Monterey Park City Council, which voted unanimously in March to include it in a special municipal election. The city's move was prompted by community concerns regarding a proposal from investment firm HMC StratCap to convert a vacant office complex into a nearly 250,000-square-foot hyperscale data center. Residents and advocacy groups like San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action raised alarms over potential impacts on air quality, drinking water resources, electricity rates, noise pollution, and limited economic benefits. The city had previously enacted and then extended a moratorium on data centers in response to these concerns.
Mayor Elizabeth Yang confirmed in April that HMC StratCap formally withdrew its application for the proposed data center and agreed not to contest the June ballot measure. The developer's legal counsel had earlier indicated the possibility of litigation if the city moved forward with a ban. Yang highlighted the community's role in the decision-making process. The permanent ban in Monterey Park reflects a growing nationwide trend of resistance to data center construction, with recent polling indicating significant public opposition to these facilities due to environmental and infrastructural concerns.