Alhambra City Council Advances Ballot Measure to Permanently Ban Data Centers
The Alhambra City Council has voted to place a measure on the November ballot that would permanently prohibit data centers throughout the city. This initiative aims to amend the Alhambra City Charter, making the ban irreversible without voter approval, unlike a previous ordinance that could be repealed by a future council.
The Alhambra City Council recently advanced a ballot measure for the November election, seeking to permanently ban data centers across the city. This move follows an earlier ordinance adopted by the council that prohibited new data centers through a zoning code update.
City officials highlighted that the initial ordinance could be modified or repealed by a subsequent City Council, prompting the decision to pursue a more enduring solution. If approved by voters, the ballot measure would amend the Alhambra City Charter to enshrine the prohibition, meaning any future efforts to allow data centers would also require voter consent.
The proposed charter amendment is succinct, incorporating the city's existing definition of "data center" and adding a provision stating: "Data Centers are prohibited in all zones of the City." The council approved the measure during a special meeting on July 14, 2026. Accompanying the news was a file photo depicting residents holding "No Data Center" signs, reflecting community sentiment.