Bassett Unified board adopts resolution opposing City of Industry zoning changes that would enable data centers

The Bassett Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously Jan. 27 to adopt Resolution 26-26 formally opposing proposed zoning amendments in the adjacent City of Industry that would enable large data centers.

The board’s action followed a series of public comments and a presentation of local concerns. Community members—including Sam Brown and Adriana Quinones—urged trustees to oppose the zoning changes, saying the proposals lacked a meaningful environmental review and would exacerbate cumulative environmental harms near district campuses. Sam Brown said the area already faces ‘‘cumulative environmental impacts’’ from past industrial operations, citing groundwater contamination, a closed landfill and historic industrial incidents. Adriana Quinones told the board data centers are ‘‘extremely water intensive’’ and that added demand would strain groundwater and local water services relied on by schools.

Board President (Mr. Versamontel) and trustees framed the resolution as a formal statement of the district’s view, not an effort to exercise zoning authority. Trustee discussion emphasized that the board does not control municipal zoning but can and should be ‘‘looped in’’ to decisions that affect student safety and school operations. The resolution calls on the City of Industry to withdraw an exemption from California Environmental Quality Act review, to consider groundwater and regional impacts, and to include the district in any further proceedings.

The resolution was considered with three other items and approved in a single roll-call motion. The board directed the interim superintendent to transmit the adopted resolution to the City of Industry for its consideration. The vote was recorded as unanimous (5–0).

Public-health concerns, water use, and local jobs: What speakers said Community speakers linked data-center development to higher water use, increased energy demand, noise and traffic, and potential air-quality impacts that could affect student attendance and asthma. Jeffrey Dela Torre urged trustees to press for ‘‘transparent environmental impacts reviews’’ and stronger zoning protections around schools. The board and speakers also noted that data centers often provide relatively few permanent local jobs compared with their local environmental and infrastructure footprint.

What happens next The board’s resolution is a formal policy position and does not change City of Industry zoning law. The board directed staff to send the resolution to City of Industry officials and to request to be included in future planning and environmental review steps. No further local regulatory action by the Bassett board was indicated in the meeting record.

Resolution provenance The resolution was listed as Resolution 26-26 and passed as part of four resolutions approved in mass by roll-call vote on Jan. 27, 2026. The board’s transmittal of the resolution to City of Industry was directed at the same meeting.