Lot merger

Celebrated community members who opposed the lot merger, which he said a court ruled illegal, and praised Supervisor Cardenas-Singh's vote.

Acknowledged Supervisor Escobar admitting error on the lot merger, urged the Board to call a special election on data centers, and questioned whether Dr. Lang withheld a GIS report from the Board for seven months.

Argued the lot merger required an accompanying rezoning under county code and accused the Board of not following the law, also criticizing the Chairwoman's leadership.

Submitted another cure-and-correct letter over the April 7 lot merger vote and questioned continued spending on litigation.

A Victoria Ranch mother said her family's home and college savings plans are on hold because the merged parcel could become a data center site; criticized Spanish-language campaign outreach by supervisors who voted for the merger.

Accused supervisors of coordinating with developers, submitted another cure-and-correct letter over alleged Brown Act violations on the April 7 lot merger, and noted the developer is now suing the county over the right to vote on the project.

Submitted his cure-and-correct letter for a third time, arguing the April 7 lot merger was advanced for the data center while the public was restricted from discussing it.

Formally submitted a Brown Act demand to cure and correct the April 7 lot merger vote, arguing the public was barred from discussing the 330-megawatt data center referenced in the agenda item, and described being removed from the meeting.

Executive Director of Collab, thanked the Board for approving the lot merger, calling it sound planning that supports economic growth and landowner rights, and praised Chairwoman Price's handling of the meeting.

Chair of the county Democratic Party who invoked the Salton Sea as a cautionary tale and urged the board to listen to residents.

Argued the record shows no evidence of emergency preparedness, evacuation analysis, noise compliance or cumulative impact review for the linked data center.

A Brawley lifelong resident who took time off work to urge a no vote, saying what happens in one valley town affects all.

Urged a no vote for the sake of children's health and warned supervisors that voters will remember.

Urged a no vote until a proper CEQA analysis, raising concerns about contaminated soil and worker safety.

Cited the 2014 DTSC report running with the land and suggested rezoning remote land in Ocotillo, Thermal or east of Highway 111 instead.

An El Centro resident who opposed the merger and noted many locals were locked out while out-of-town union members filled the room.

Asked how the merger can be treated as standalone, whether cumulative impacts were analyzed, and predicted the board would approve it anyway.

An El Centro resident who asked for a no vote and a data center moratorium until CEQA review is required, noting a fiscal study was done but not an environmental one.

Grew up half a mile from the site; asked for a moratorium citing SB 57 and SB 886 ratepayer protections.

A lifelong county resident and educator who opposed the merger as a vehicle for a project not in the community's best interest, despite union solidarity.

Opposed the merger, noting splash pads require CEQA but this project doesn't, and urged the board to table rather than claim its hands are tied.

A local business owner and one of the property owners, who supported the merger saying the land has been zoned industrial for over 20 years.

A political scientist who criticized the lack of Spanish-language outreach, overcrowding and what she called disrespect toward the community.

Urged a no vote, saying out-of-town union members filled seats while locals waited outside in the heat.

An Imperial mother of three who opposed the merger over water contamination, diesel pollution and noise concerns.

A returning valley entrepreneur who opposed the merger, citing harms seen in other communities and quoting Proverbs on reputation.

Opposed the merger, citing data center industry spending and tax breaks, and said the lot merger would be the downfall of political careers.

Lives less than 1,000 feet from the site and received no notice; detailed noise impacts on people with autism and water pollution concerns.

Representing Nurium, argued the approval process was deliberately structured to avoid CEQA review and cited similar patterns in Vineland, NJ and elsewhere.

From Bombay Beach, said disinvested communities have seen no long-term benefit and questioned unequal treatment across the county.

A Heber resident who learned of the project through Instagram and urged denial, recalling past drought water restrictions.

A homeowner about 900 feet from the site who said he feels ignored and implored the board to deny the merger on any grounds available.

Mother of an autistic son who opposed the merger over noise pollution impacts on people with autism and grid strain for home medical equipment.

Asked why this project bypasses CEQA when Imperial Sun, Dogwood Geothermal and solar projects all underwent review; also referenced a recall petition.

A 45-year resident who said the developer left Imperial because the city wanted CEQA, and that the merger and data center cannot be separated.

Vice chair of the Boulevard Planning Group who said the community has spoken clearly in opposition and urged the board to serve the public interest.

Read a statement from State Senator Steve Padilla opposing the project as constituted, citing SB 8806 and 887 and urging the board to slow down.

A Victoria Ranch homeowner near the site who felt insulted by claims about noise and tax impacts, and asked the board to stop the merger.

Business manager of Laborers Local 1184 who strongly supported the merger, citing the county's high unemployment and a PLA with local hire negotiated that weekend.

A lifelong Laborers member who supported the merger, saying every person in orange represents a family needing work.

A Laborers Local 1184 business agent who said the merger creates a pathway to local jobs and urged the county to stop being 'the valley of no.'

A LiUNA member who supported the merger as setting the stage for future growth and county revenue.

Compared the project's promise to the naval air base's economic impact since 1946 and urged approval.

With the State Building Trades, announced a PLA signed that morning with all trades including local hire, and urged approval.

An economic development proponent who argued lot mergers are needed to attract modern large-footprint industrial buildings and that staff followed the law.

A 28-year-old former foster youth and aspiring tradesman who supported the merger because it means he can finally work in his home valley.

Came to support the lot merger but was redirected to the public hearing; later spoke in favor, saying the land has been industrial for decades and state regulations will protect the community.

A music teacher from Imperial who urged Chairwoman Price to lead with integrity and oppose the project; later testified the road vacation and merger amount to piecemealing.

A homebuilder who said the project has hurt her sales and detailed DTSC contamination — soluble copper and chromium — on an adjacent parcel that restricts land use.

Representing the developer and landowners, argued the merger meets all county code requirements and agreed to all conditions.

Attorney for the City of Imperial argued the site is wrong next to homes 200 feet away, that alternatives exist, that the project dodges CEQA, and asked the board to deny the merger.

Said the merger circumvents public protections and sets a precedent for more data centers, warning of massive water and electricity use.

A Victoria Ranch resident who asked the board to deny the merger, asking whether they would place such a project next to their own homes.

Called the merger the first domino in illegal piecemealing and said the road vacation requires discretionary findings the board must make.