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Imperial resident urges action as emailed comments flag proposed 330‑MW data center and battery facility
Summary
A resident and an emailed commenter told Imperial City Council they fear a proposed 330‑megawatt data center and battery facility near homes and future schools, citing noise, lighting and water impacts; the city attorney told speakers the project appears to be under county jurisdiction and advised contacting Imperial County.
Karina Leal, a long‑time Imperial resident, told the City Council her backyard faces the vacant lot where a data center and a 330‑megawatt battery facility are proposed and said the project makes her "scared for my family and the quality of life we're facing in our near future." She told the council she was worried about round‑the‑clock operation, noise, security lighting and possible effects on property values and nearby schools.
The concerns partly echoed a two‑page email the clerk received that was summarized aloud by the city attorney; the message thanked the city for disclosing the proposal and raised similar worries about "noise, traffic, the cooling system, water impacts on quality of life." The city attorney said the full email would be placed in the public record and made available at the clerk's office.
In response to public concerns, the city attorney said the proposal appears "not within our jurisdiction," and urged residents to contact Imperial County supervisors or the county planning department and to reach out to the developers for more information. "We are available to listen," the city attorney said, but advised that review and permitting for the project likely rests with county authorities rather than the city.
The council did not take any formal action on the item at the meeting. The emailed comment and Leal's remarks were entered into the record for follow‑up by staff and the public. The city attorney directed residents to county channels for filing comments and noted staff would provide copies of the emailed submission to council members and include it in the meeting minutes.
