El Monte council extends moratorium on new data‑center land‑use applications

The El Monte City Council on April 22 voted 7-0 to adopt Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 3065, extending the city’s temporary moratorium on the processing, approval and acceptance of new data‑center land‑use applications for 10 months and 15 days.

Mayor Jessica Ancona moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilmember Cindy Galvan seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. The council opened a public hearing, received a staff overview and public comment, then closed the hearing before voting.

City staff advised the council on measures taken to alleviate the conditions that prompted the original moratorium. The council determined the extension is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), which the agenda packet cites when economic or administrative actions clearly will not have a significant effect on the environment.

The ordinance prohibits the city from accepting or processing new applications for data‑center uses during the specified period. No additional regulatory details or thresholds were listed in the meeting record; staff were directed to implement the ordinance as adopted.

The moratorium is identified in the staff report as an interim measure under Government Code Section 65858. The council’s action was recorded on the agenda as Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 3065 and took effect upon adoption.

The council will revisit land‑use controls and consider longer‑term regulations or amendments to the zoning code in future meetings, as noted by staff during the presentation.