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Alhambra adds measure seeking to ban data centers to November ballot
Hundreds packed into Monterey Park City Hall to call for a moratorium on data centers.
(
Josie Huang
/
LAist
)
The Alhambra City Council voted unanimously Monday to put a measure on the November ballot that will ask local voters to ban data centers citywide.
Why it matters
If the measure passes, Alhambra could become the second city in California to pass a ban on data centers through a public vote.
In June, Monterey Park became the first city to pass such a ban.
The details
Council members previously voted to establish an official definition of what qualifies as a data center. At an earlier meeting last month, they also added data centers to a list of prohibited facilities in office and industrial zones.
The new ballot measure proposes expanding the prohibition. It would effectively ban data centers in all of the city.
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Residents weigh in
Andrew Yip, an Alhambra resident and an organizer with the group SGV Progressive Action, spoke about the importance of ballot language during Monday’s council meeting.
Yip said the name of Monterey Park's June ballot measure — Measure NDC, which stood for "No Data Center" — left some data center opponents unsure about whether to vote yes or no.
“It was very confusing,” Yip said. “I encourage the city to consider a different acronym if possible, maybe BAN, so people know to vote yes on a ban.”
The backstory
Local citizens and groups like No Data Centers San Gabriel Valley and No Data Center in Monterey Park have been organizing to oppose the construction of data centers and other infrastructure that supports them, such as battery energy storage systems.
Plans for a proposed data center in Monterey Park were pulled in March, and the Covina Planning Commission voted down a proposed storage system in June following public input.
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What’s next
Alhambra voters will decide the fate of data centers in the city in the general election on Nov. 3. The ban needs a simple majority of support from local voters in order to pass.
How to keep tabs on the Alhambra City Council
The Alhambra City Council tends to meet a few times per month, generally on Mondays. Meetings typically start at 6 p.m.
Here’s how you can follow along:
- Attend in person: The council meets at City Hall, Council Chambers, 111 S. First St., Alhambra.
- Watch the live broadcast.
- Here’s how to submit a comment or contact the council.
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