Voters could decide fate of proposed Monterey Park data center

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. () — Monterey Park residents are expressing growing frustration over a proposed data center as the city council prepares to decide whether the project should go before voters in a June ballot initiative.

A canvasser for the developer walked door to door Wednesday, distributing information about the plan and talking with neighbors about the proposed 247,000 square-foot facility.

The project would replace an existing two-story office building at 1977 Saturn St., next to La Loma Park, which city records state would be demolished as part of the project.

“We look forward to have the opportunity to show that this project is designed sustainably. We want to be good partners to the community,” said Laziza Lambert, spokesperson for the 1977 Saturn Data Center Project.

As more people continue to stream, shop online and use artificial intelligence, that means there’s a growing need for computing infrastructure.

According to the developer, the center would generate more than $5 million annually in tax revenue and would include the construction of a public park.

But opponents warn the center could place enormous strain on local utilities. Some residents fear it would consume so much electricity that it would require a new substation, potentially raising costs for the community.

“Southern California Edison has said that there will not be any pass to cost to residents. The developer is also going to be funding the infrastructure upgrades,” said Lambert.

The project has faced organized resistance.

“The residents were so mad at the applicant that the city council heard us and they decided to implement a moratorium on data centers, which is completely beyond our wildest imaginations, so we’re in the middle of the 45-day moratorium,” said Steven Kung, who helped organize the opposition.

Kung said neighbors remain committed to stopping the project.

“We’re going to push back and let them know that nobody in this town wants it – not the city council, not the residents,” he said.

Some community members also raised concerns that the project was being pushed through without an environmental impact report. Lambert said the company has changed course in response to those concerns.

“They voluntarily agreed to pursue an environmental impact review, and that process is not only strictest process in the state but the country,” she said.

The city council is expected to decide Wednesday night whether the project should be placed on the June primary ballot. The developer says it hopes to keep discussions ongoing.