Monterey Park Eyes Total Ban on Data Centers
The Monterey Park City Council will hold a special meeting to consider an ordinance that would prohibit all data centers within city limits — one of the most aggressive municipal responses to the AI-driven data center boom anywhere in Los Angeles County.
The move puts Monterey Park at the forefront of a growing tension between local governments and the technology industry over land use, energy consumption, and community character. Data centers, which house the servers that power artificial intelligence platforms, cloud computing, and streaming services, have been expanding rapidly across the region, drawing both economic development interest and fierce community opposition over noise, power demands, and the displacement of other uses.
A full prohibition — rather than a zoning restriction or conditional use process — would be an unusually hard line. Cities across California have wrestled with how to regulate data centers without foreclosing economic development, and most have opted for targeted controls rather than outright bans. Monterey Park’s proposed ordinance, if adopted, would signal that at least some communities are prepared to say no entirely.
The meeting is slated for 7 pm, Monday, April 20, at the City Council Chambers, 320 West Newmark Avenue in Monterey Park.
Alhambra Parks Go Online With Free Wi-Fi
Alhambra Mayor Jeff Maloney announced last week the launch of free high-speed public Wi-Fi at all five city parks and the Joslyn Center, a connectivity upgrade officials say will help bridge the digital divide for residents who rely on public spaces for internet access.
The project, funded through the 2023 State Budget Act, was developed in partnership with Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra/San Gabriel Valley). Wi-Fi is now live at Alhambra Park, Almansor Park, Emery Park, Granada Park, Story Park, and the Joslyn Center during regular park hours.
The initiative reflects a broader trend among LA County municipalities to treat reliable internet access as essential public infrastructure — on par with water, lighting, and restrooms. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated that thinking, exposing the degree to which residents without home broadband were cut off from healthcare, education, employment, and government services.
“Whether it’s a family signing up for a recreation class, a senior scheduling a ride to a doctor’s appointment, or a student working on homework, this access helps remove barriers to getting online,” said Maloney.
Artesia Lands $2M Grant for Botanical Garden
Artesia Mayor Rene Trevino announced the city has been awarded $2 million in Measure A funds from the LA County Regional Park and Open Space District, a significant step toward completing the long-planned Artesia Botanical Garden — a project city officials describe as a transformational addition to one of LA County’s smallest and most densely built municipalities.
The grant was part of a larger $78 million Measure A disbursement announced March 17 by the Regional Park and Open Space District, covering 48 organizations across the county. The Artesia award will cover a substantial portion of the total project cost of $9.085 million, with federal, state, and city funds comprising the remainder.
The Artesia Botanical Garden will occupy 1.43 acres and feature planting areas designed to attract birds and butterflies, educational components highlighting tropical, California arid, and desert landscapes, and a 3,052-square-foot community center with indoor and outdoor spaces for gatherings and small-scale events. Construction is expected to begin late 2026.
For a city of roughly 17,000 residents packed into just under 1.7 square miles, the botanical garden represents a meaningful expansion of publicly accessible green space. Trevino credited LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose district includes Artesia, for her role in securing the grant.
“Park spaces are a vital part of any community, and we are extremely excited about our Botanical Garden,” said Trevino. “I have always been an advocate for our Parks and Recreation Department and all the services they provide to our youth, seniors and residents.”
Lancaster Gets $450K for New Park Near Avenue J
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris announced the city has been awarded $450,000 in Measure A funding from the LA County Regional Park and Open Space District to support planning and design of a new community park near the Avenue J freeway on-ramp — the first formal step toward expanding green space in a part of the Antelope Valley that has historically been underserved by public parkland.
Lancaster was one of 48 agencies countywide selected from a competitive field to receive a share of more than $78 million in grants announced this month by the Regional Park and Open Space District.
The funding comes from Measure A, the voter-approved property tax passed by LA County residents in 2016 to expand and improve parks, open space, and the public health and environmental benefits they provide.
The award covers early-stage planning and design costs for the future park, with construction funding and a timeline still to be determined. Parks in the Avenue J corridor would serve residents in one of Lancaster’s higher-density neighborhoods, where access to open space and recreational facilities has lagged behind the city’s growth.
“Expanding access to quality parks means more opportunities for our residents to stay active, connect with one another, and enjoy safe, welcoming outdoor spaces close to home,” said Parris.
Avalon Clarifies Harbor Incident: Saltwater Main Break, Not Sewage
The City of Avalon is pushing back on reports characterizing a March 24 infrastructure incident as a sewage spill, issuing a formal clarification that the break involved the city’s saltwater main — a system entirely separate from its sewer and wastewater infrastructure — and that there is no evidence sewage was discharged into Avalon Harbor.
The incident occurred just before 10:40 p.m. on Front Street between Clarissa Avenue and Catalina Avenue. Public Works crews responded immediately and worked through the night to isolate and shut off the affected saltwater line. The disruption impacted the Green Pier and nearby buildings. A permanent repair is expected soon, with restoration of saltwater service to follow.
Avalon operates a dual utility system unusual among California coastal communities — a separate saltwater distribution network distinct from its sewer and wastewater lines. City officials confirmed the flow associated with the incident consisted primarily of saltwater and minor debris, and that the area was promptly cleaned, rinsed, and managed, with any residual flow diverted into the sewer system as a precaution.
LA County Lifeguards issued temporary beach notifications and installed precautionary postings consistent with standard protocol. The City is coordinating with the LA County Department of Public Health, which has initiated water quality testing. Beach advisories and closures will remain in place until testing confirms water quality meets state health standards.
The city’s clarification is notable in part because of how quickly misinformation can spread around environmental incidents in a small island community where tourism is the economic lifeblood.
Avalon, on Catalina Island, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, and the harbor is central to that appeal. The city said it will continue to provide updates as testing results become available.
