Measure DB: Data Centers Prohibited.

In plain language

Measure DB is a City of Alhambra measure about data centers. The city council already passed a rule banning data centers everywhere in the city. A YES vote would confirm that ban by changing the city's rulebook to define 'data centers' again and keep them banned in every zone. A NO vote would not confirm this ban through the ballot.

Impartial analysis

CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF CITY OF ALHAMBRA MEASURE __, DATA CENTER PROHIBITION This measure was placed on the ballot by the Alhambra City Council. The Alhambra Municipal Code regulates land uses throughout the City, and includes permitted use tables identifying the uses allowed in the City’s various zones. The City Council previously adopted Ordinance No. O2M26-4863, which created a definition for “Data Centers” and then prohibited them throughout the City, by either listing them as prohibited, or omitting them from the list of permitted uses in the City’s permitted use zoning tables. The City Council has placed this measure before the voters so that the electorate may decide whether to affirm that ban by adopting it as a voter-approved ordinance. If the voters adopt the measure, the ban could be amended or repealed only by the voters, further limiting the City Council’s ability to change the City’s data center regulations in the future. If approved, the measure would amend Alhambra Municipal Code Section 23.43.050 to add a sentence at the end of the current definition of “Data Center” as follows (added language shown as underlined): “Data Centers. Facilities used primarily for analyzing, processing, storing, converting, transmitting, distributing, and managing electronic data for on-site or off-site use. These facilities typically house computer, network, and telecommunication equipment, systems, servers, appliances, and other associated components related to electronic data operations. This classification excludes data facilities that are incidental to another primary use and that are strictly for the purposes of supporting the on-site operations of the primary use. Data Centers are prohibited in all zones of the City.” The measure would take effect only if approved by a simple majority (50% plus one) of the voters casting votes on it. If approved, it would be adopted as an ordinance of the People of the City of Alhambra, and the Mayor and City Clerk would attest to its passage upon certification of the election results. If the measure is not approved, it would not take effect; the existing Council-adopted ban on data centers would remain in place unless and until changed by the City Council. A “YES” vote is a vote to adopt the ordinance, affirming the ban and prohibiting Data Centers in all zones of the City. A “NO” vote is a vote against adopting the ordinance; if the measure fails, the Council-adopted ban would remain in effect unless later changed by the City Council. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure [___]. If you desire a copy of the ordinance or measure, please call the elections official’s office at (insert telephone number) and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.