Summary

Council approves data center ban

Monterey ParkJan 21, 20263 min read

At a glance

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The City Council approved an amended urgency ordinance directing staff to draft regulations that prohibit data centers within Monterey Park’s jurisdiction, and also asked staff to research housing items for the zoning code.

Committees mentioned

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City Council

Topics discussed

CommerceHousing

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What this means

Residents can expect the city to move toward rules that would block data centers from being built within Monterey Park. The Council also directed staff to look into housing-related changes to the zoning code, but the details were not provided in the minutes. Several other routine items were approved, including committee appointments and a zoning-code change that makes the Planning Commission the Board of Appeals for certain building code appeals.

Key decisions

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Approved and waived Urgency Ordinance 2272, with amendments directing staff to draft regulations that prohibit data centers within the City’s jurisdiction.
Directed staff to research housing into the zoning code.
Approved Resolution No. 2026-R2 appointing City Councilmembers to specific organizations.
Introduced and waived first reading of an ordinance amending Monterey Park Municipal Code Chapters 1.10, 2.56, 4.20, and 4.30 to designate the Planning Commission as the Board of Appeals for certain California Building Standards Code appeals.
Approved the consent calendar, including the minutes and the November 2025 monthly investment report.

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Meeting information

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City Council Regular Meeting

Jan 21, 2026, 6:30 PMCity Hall Council Chambers,, 320 W. Newmark Ave., Monterey Park CA 91754completed

Agenda

1. Call to Order
Mayor
2. Flag Salute
The Monterey Park Police Explorers
3. Roll Call
Henry Lo, Vinh Ngo, Jose Sanchez, Thomas Wong, Elizabeth Yang
4. Telecommunications Announcement, if requested
5. Agenda Revisions and Additions
6. Public Communications
7. Staff Communications
A. Fire Department
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Decision: Staff Communications
B. Public Works
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Decision: Staff Communications
C. Library
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Decision: Staff Communications
D. Recreation and Community Services
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Decision: Staff Communications
8. Presentation
9. Old Business
A. Concept Approval and Award of Contract for January 21 Memorial Design
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Approving the proposed memorial concept presented by Kimley Horn, with any Council-directed modifications to be incorporated before final design; Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Kimley Horn, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for the design of the January 21, 2023 Memorial; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Old Business
10. Consent Calendar
All items under the Consent Calendar are considered by the City Council to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. Specific items may be removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of any member of the City Council for separate consideration.
A. Minutes
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Approving the minutes from the special meetings of November 19, 2025 and December 3, 2025 and the regular meetings of November 19, 2025 and December 3, 2025; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
B. Monthly Investment Report - November 2025
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Receiving and filing the monthly investment report; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
C. Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or Designee, to apply for, submit applications for, receive, and appropriate funds for SGVMWD Grants for which the City is eligible
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Adopting a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to submit applications to the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District for all grants for which the City is eligible, and to execute all grant documents and accept and administer any awarded grant funds, consistent with the Resolution; Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
D. Amendment to Agreement No. 2395-AA with Knight Leadership Solutions, LLC
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Authorizing the City Manager to execute a third amendment to agreement no. 2395-AA with Knight Leadership Solutions, LLC., in a form approved by the City Attorney, to provide miscellaneous City Council and staff development seminars through June 30, 2027; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
11. Public Hearing
12. New Business
A. A Resolution appointing City Councilmembers to Specific Organizations
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Adopting a Resolution appointing representatives to specific organizations; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: New Business
B. Consideration and possible introduction and first reading of an Ordinance amending Monterey Park Municipal Code Chapters 1.10, 2.56, 4.20, and 4.30 to designate the Planning Commission as the Board of Appeals to consider appeals arising from application of the California Building Standards Code
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Reading by title only, waiving further reading, and introducing an Ordinance amending Monterey Park Municipal Code Chapters 1.10, 2.56, 4.20, and 4.30 to designate the Planning Commission as the Board of Appeals to consider appeals arising from application of the California Building Standards Code; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: New Business
13. City Communications (City Council) / Future Agenda Items
14. Closed Session (if Required; City Attorney to Announce)
15. Adjournment