Summary
A resident warned the council about a proposed 250,000-square-foot AI data center in Monterey Park near the Montebello border, citing water, power and emissions concerns and urging the city's SCAG representative to raise it.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 9
- Last 30 days
- 3
Rising — discussed at 3 meetings since Sep 15, 2026, up from 0 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
No direct cost to residents now, but data centers could strain the power grid, water supply, and utility bills if allowed without controls.
Residents near the Monterey Park border worried about noise, water use, and health impacts.
Nearby Montebello residents could face water, power and air-quality impacts if the facility is built.
Mentions & discussions (10)
City Council - Oct 28, 2026
One of the zoning ordinances up for adoption would ban artificial intelligence data centers citywide, a notable land-use restriction on a fast-growing industry.
Whittier City Council passes bans on data centers, detention facilities, massage parlors and car washes
The Whittier City Council passed a 45-day temporary moratorium on data centers, detention facilities, massage parlors and car washes at its Oct. 27 meeting Tuesday. After a public hearing, the lawmakers unanimo...
City Council - Oct 14, 2026
The city is locking in a permanent ban on AI data centers in every zoning district, replacing the temporary moratorium adopted in February. Concerns include massive water and power use, noise, and incompatibility with neighborhoods.
Planning Commission - Sep 15, 2026
The city is moving to permanently ban artificial intelligence data centers to protect local electrical grids, water supplies, and community character from massive utility demands and noise.
City Council - Jun 24, 2026
Residents urged the council to permanently ban data centers (following Monterey Park's lead) and to strengthen tenant protections, citing the Boyle Heights fire's air quality impacts and eviction risks.
Monterey Park City Council approves ballot measure that bans data centers
The Monterey Park City Council on Monday, April 20, unanimously approved a historic measure that would enshrine a permanent ban on data center construction in the city, if voters approve. Reflecting months-long...
City Council - Feb 25, 2026
The council received the required 10-day report on Urgency Ordinance No. 2491, which put a 45-day hold on data centers — including AI and hyperscale facilities — citywide while the city works on permanent rules.
City Council - Feb 11, 2026
Montebello joined a growing list of San Gabriel Valley cities pushing back on AI data centers, adopting a 45-day urgency moratorium that can stretch to two years. Residents and Monterey Park activists packed the chamber urging a permanent ban and warned about loopholes in the "AI data center" wording, which the council fixed by broadening the ordinance to all data centers.
City Council - Jan 28, 2026
A resident fighting a proposed data center in neighboring Monterey Park urged the council to act, and Councilmember Peralta asked staff to explore banning or restricting data centers before an application ever arrives.
City Council - Jan 14, 2026
A resident warned the council about a proposed 250,000-square-foot AI data center in Monterey Park near the Montebello border, citing water, power and emissions concerns and urging the city's SCAG representative to raise it.
Related development
Title 17 zoning amendments and citywide rezonings (Ordinances 2487-2490)
Could bring new housing — including affordable units — mixed with retail along Montebello's main corridors, with faster approvals for qualifying projects and no changes to single-family neighborhoods.
Title 17 Zoning Code Text Amendments (Ordinance Nos. 2492, 2493, 2494, 2497)
These rules govern what can be built and where — from backyard units to whether AI data centers can operate anywhere in the city.
Title 17 Zoning Code Text Amendments (ADUs, MWELO, AI Data Center Prohibition, Definitions)
Modernizes local zoning code to match state housing and water laws while permanently banning power-hungry AI data centers.
Interim Zoning Controls for AI Data Centers (Urgency Ordinance No. 2491)
Blocks any new data center proposals citywide for now, protecting neighborhoods from heavy power, water, and noise impacts while permanent rules are written.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
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