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The Monterey Park City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on data centers following a special meeting with over 300 attendees and more than 100 speakers expressing concerns. The moratorium was proposed by Council member Vinh Ngo in response to worries over StratCap Data Centers' planned facility at Saturn Park, particularly regarding water usage, air quality, and traffic.

Officials noted that the facility would support various sectors, including AI and cloud computing. Mayor Elizabeth Yang highlighted the need for transparency and public engagement before proceeding with such projects.

The council is expected to consider making the moratorium indefinite. StratCap has faced criticism for not organizing community meetings and for perceived delays in the project approval process. Local activists have gathered significant community support against the development, while the council's next meeting is scheduled for February 4.