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Montebello council adopts 45-day moratorium on data centers, broadens pause to cover all data centers
Summary
The Montebello City Council on the evening of the meeting adopted an amended urgency ordinance (No. 2491) imposing a 45-day pause on AI and other data centers citywide so staff can study infrastructure, environmental and land‑use impacts and draft permanent zoning standards.
Montebello — The City Council voted to adopt an amended urgency ordinance, No. 2491, imposing a 45‑day moratorium on data centers, including artificial‑intelligence (AI) facilities, while city staff studies their impacts and develops permanent zoning standards.
Mayor Tamayo said the measure was intended to protect residents from being used as a “testing ground” for high‑intensity facilities and to ensure that growth is “thoughtful, sustainable, and aligned with our community values.”
Councilmember Peralta moved to adopt the amended urgency ordinance; Councilmember Alonso seconded the motion. The city clerk recorded aye votes and the ordinance passed, meeting the four‑fifths requirement for an urgency measure.
Why it matters: Staff described AI data centers as specialized, 24‑hour facilities that can demand large amounts of electricity, cooling and water, rely on backup generators, and generate continuous mechanical noise. Director Palumbi told the council staff identified dozens of data centers in the broader region and said the city needs time to assess compatibility with neighborhoods, utility capacity and potential environmental impacts before allowing such projects.
Public reaction: Eight public speakers urged action. Jesse Damon, cofounder of No Data Center Monterey Park, commended Montebello’s caution and warned that hyperscale centers ‘‘consume extraordinary amounts of energy and water’’ and produce few long‑term local jobs. Kira Hamm, a volunteer with the Monterey Park effort, noted the site residents are fighting is 1977 Saturn Street — about half a mile from Montebello — and urged Montebello to act to protect neighboring communities.
Legal process and next steps: Staff said the ordinance is a 45‑day temporary pause; the city attorney explained state law allows extensions up to 10 months and 15 days, and then an additional year if necessary, for a potential total of two years while the city studies and drafts permanent rules. Director Palumbi and the city attorney said staff will coordinate with adjacent jurisdictions and return with recommended permanent amendments to Title 17 of the Montebello Municipal Code.
Council action details: The motion to adopt the amended urgency ordinance was made by Councilmember Peralta and seconded by Councilmember Alonso. The roll call recorded affirmative votes (recorded in the meeting transcript as: Councilmember Melendez — Aye; Councilmember Alonso — Aye; Mayor Bertramaro — Aye; Councilmember Peralta — Aye; Mayor Tamayo — Aye). The ordinance was adopted and will take immediate effect as an urgency measure.
What the ordinance does and what it does not: The adopted urgency ordinance places a temporary citywide pause on development and permit approvals for data centers while staff conducts a focused analysis. It does not permanently ban data centers; it directs staff to study impacts, consult with neighboring jurisdictions, and propose permanent zoning and development standards for future council consideration.
The council then moved on to the consent calendar. The matter of permanent rules and any possible ballot measures remains to be resolved in coming months.
