Monterey Park · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monterey Park public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Data Center Moratorium and Citywide Ban
The city is moving toward banning data centers, with the public hearing set for Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. after noticing delays pushed it off this agenda.
Gun violence prevention legacy
The council passed a Gun Violence Awareness Month resolution while police reported one gun violence restraining order issued since 2016 and reviewed new 2026 state laws on firearm storage, Glock sales, and background checks.
1977 Saturn Data Center Project Litigation Risk
The proposed 250,000-square-foot AI data center drew roughly 95 speakers, nearly all opposed, citing diesel generators, noise and vibration, water and electricity demand, health risks, and poor public outreach. The council considered a 45-day urgency moratorium on data center applications in Saturn Park plus an EIR requirement; many speakers demanded a permanent ban instead. The provided recording ends before the vote.
Data center moratorium and proposed citywide ban
The council extended its emergency moratorium on data center applications through January 2027 and weighed asking voters in June to ban data centers citywide. Residents overwhelmingly demanded a permanent ordinance ban, while the developer's representatives warned of litigation and pitched a negotiated land-use plan for Saturn Park instead.
Signage Policy
Monterey Park is ditching its plan to force businesses to have English-only signs. After a ton of pushback from residents, the city council decided to scrap the controversial policy.
Sign Ordinance
Monterey Park is updating its rules for signs, and it's stirring up old debates about ethnic representation. Get ready for some passionate conversations as the city decides what our signs should say and how they should look.