San Gabriel Valley Residents Oppose Proposed Data Centers in City of Industry
Residents across the San Gabriel Valley are opposing proposed data centers, including a 10-megawatt facility planned near the Puente Hills Mall in the City of Industry. The City of Industry changed its zoning laws to allow data centers broadly, while Los Angeles County adopted a temporary moratorium on hyperscale data centers in unincorporated areas and is considering stronger restrictions.
Residents and community groups from across the San Gabriel Valley are campaigning against proposed data centers, citing potential air pollution, noise, water consumption, grid strain and higher utility costs. The largest proposal discussed is a 10-megawatt facility at the Puente Hills Mall site in the City of Industry, although Raeden Inc. said it is no longer actively pursuing a project there. StratCap also withdrew plans for a 247,000-square-foot data center in nearby Monterey Park after community opposition.
Opponents say the City of Industry's small residential population and permissive industrial zoning leave surrounding communities with little influence over development decisions. The City Council voted in February to allow data centers and battery storage systems virtually throughout the city, while the city says it has not approved a data center project.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis sought a moratorium and broader county action after officials raised concerns about public health, environmental impacts, electricity, water and outdated zoning and fire rules. Supervisors initially approved a study rather than a moratorium, but the county later imposed a temporary ban on hyperscale data centers in unincorporated communities; Solis subsequently postponed a vote on making the restrictions permanent.