MONTEREY PARK — Residents of Monterey Park, California, voted on a ballot measure to permanently ban data centers within the city limits. As of 2 a.m. Pacific Time, 86.3% of the more than 7,000 votes counted favored the ban, exceeding the 51% threshold required for passage.
Measure NDC prohibits data center construction in the city and can only be overturned by a future voter referendum. The measure asked residents to ban the facilities to protect air quality, drinking water resources, and public health, while preventing impacts on utility rates. Jose Sanchez, a city councilmember, said the vote shows unequivocally that residents in Monterey Park do not want data centers in their community.
The vote followed extended community debate regarding a 247,000-square-foot facility proposed by HMC StratCap. The development would have been situated in a residential neighborhood less than 500 feet from the nearest home and required approximately 50 megawatts of power at peak demand, roughly three times the electricity consumption of the city's 60,000 residents. The city council passed an indefinite moratorium on data centers in April amid public opposition. HMC StratCap withdrew its building application in late March 2024 and indicated it would not pursue legal action over the ballot initiative.
Grassroots organizers distributed 10,000 flyers and mailed campaign materials in English, Chinese, and Spanish ahead of the election. Yard signs reading "No Data Center" in English and Chinese, featuring dragon images, appeared throughout the municipality during the voting period. Some residents initially experienced confusion about whether a 'yes' or 'no' vote would support the ban.
Khara Boender, director of state policy at the Data Center Coalition, said the ban would deprive local residents of job opportunities and cause the area to lose long-term economic investment, high-wage jobs, and tax revenue. Ironworker Local 433 supported the proposed data center when it was under consideration by the city council.
Elizabeth Yang, mayor of Monterey Park, said a future city council could reverse a council ordinance, but overturning a voter-approved ban would require another citywide vote. The restriction will remain in place until city residents choose to end it.