Data center moratorium

A lifelong District 1 resident urged a yes vote on the moratorium and a permanent ban, citing working-class immigrant families' health and utility burdens.

Opposed the project, saying it brings no long-term jobs and benefits only an overseas corporation, and warned of electoral consequences.

A nurse spoke about ICE activity in nearby cities and tied the data center debate to broader concerns about wealth and power.

A longtime resident in Henry Lo's district cited journalism on data centers' water and power impacts and said the message was clear.

The developer's community engagement representative said the team wants open dialogue and to design the project around residents' priorities.

A neighboring East LA resident called the data center a public health and environmental threat three miles from her home.

A longtime resident said the city hadn't done enough outreach and strongly opposed the project.

Echoed the crowd's opposition and called for a permanent ban on all data centers in the city.

A District 2 resident with a toddler demanded a ban, criticized the city's lack of outreach, and cited noise, water, and blackout concerns.

A data center worker said the facilities create few local jobs and little community investment, and would rather see a Trader Joe's or public space.

A teacher and neighborhood watch member asked the council to keep its promises and support small businesses instead.

A college professor urged the council to move forward with a full EIR, noting how much daily life relies on data centers.

A longtime resident supported the moratorium and the voluntary EIR, saying the project brings needed tax revenue and should be judged on facts.

A District 3 resident said an MND is insufficient and insisted on a full EIR.

An Amazon Teamsters member from District 3 opposed the project and compared the developer's tactics to union-busting misinformation.

A District 5 parent living 500 feet from the site asked for an ethical, maximalist EIR and urged rejection in favor of housing.

A nearby resident said the public was misled, described felt vibrations from data centers, and asked the crowd to stand for housing over data centers.

A PSL organizer said targeting a community of color for a data center is implicit violence and urged the council to listen to the people.

The city clerk spoke as a resident, recommending environmentally friendly modifications and defending everyone's right to speak regardless of opinion.

A trustee and researcher explained how private-project research is done and warned the impacts may be worse than they appear.

A resident spoke in favor of the moratorium, calling a full EIR the bare minimum.

Described decades of environmental injustice and family cancer diagnoses near the site and urged the council to reject the project.

Expressed the applicant's goal to communicate with residents and develop a data center keeping community needs in mind.

Expressed concern over potential harmful environmental impacts a data center could bring to the community.

Voiced strong opposition to the proposed 1977 Saturn data center project.

Highlighted audience opposition to the data center project and called for a permanent citywide ban.

An attorney resident asked the city — not the applicant — to hire the EIR consultant, urged striking a section of the ordinance, and demanded the applicant's letters be posted publicly.

Said she felt betrayed after engaging through SPARC, questioned the council's legacy, and called the project a boondoggle.

A District 2 resident said an EIR isn't enough, questioned the 2024 SPARC-based zoning, and asked the council to listen to constituents.

Co-founder of 'No Data Center in Monterey Park' reported a petition surging past 3,300 signatures and asked for clarity on the ordinance's regulations.

A Climate Action Campaign fellow urged a yes vote on the moratorium and asked Council Member Wong to recuse over his SoCal Edison employment.

Representing the San Gabriel Valley Progressive Alliance, she demanded a permanent ban, not just 45 days.

Representing CREED LA, he supported the project for creating union construction career pathways for at-risk youth and people seeking second chances.

A 35-year resident who once worked at 1977 and 1980 Saturn Street dissected the MND's CO2 figures and backed a permanent moratorium.

Criticized the last-minute agenda addition and urged a permanent moratorium or a voter decision, raising conflict concerns about the mayor and Wong.

A plumbers union rep supported the moratorium and EIR, praising the developer's skilled-and-trained labor commitments.

A 20-year resident reminded the council of its duty to constituents, said she'd been misinformed about the generator count, and vowed electoral consequences.

Asked for community oversight of the EIR, a health impact assessment, and removal of the city manager and community development director from the process.

A public health practitioner cited research tying the project's emissions to premature deaths and asked for a community-vetted EIR and health impact assessment.

A District 5 homeowner argued the city was targeted for its demographics, said SPARC results weren't representative, and urged the council to shut the project down.

A resident building a house said her residential property was rezoned commercial without notice and asked the council to restore it.

A District 3 resident contrasted the project with the city's mandatory water restrictions and fines, opposing any data center.