Coachella residents push back on proposed data center

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) - Dozens of residents showed up at Wednesday's Coachella City Council meeting to voice their opposition against a proposed 240 acre data center.

While limited details are available about the project, residents say it could take shape on an agricultural lot at the corner of 52nd Avenue and Filmore Street in Coachella.

The city has not responded to questions sent by News Channel 3, but did post this informative graphic to their social media about the project.

Speaking at the city council meeting, several residents voiced concerns around environmental impacts of the data center.

"How you guys think it's okay that these data centers that consume clean water, but then our kids, our community doesn't have access to clean water. Everyone knows the trailer parks don't have clean water," Natalia Cervantes of Coachella said.

Several also complained about transparency from officials, with a fear that the project could be larger than expected.

"The transparency, looking at the people and saying 'x, y, z' equals prosperous versus 'x, y, z' equals you guys are going to pay for this for the next 30 years to the tune of $85 million," James Rodriguez said.

"In seeing the data center component, I saw that there's going to be a development within several different phases. It starts with three data centers and then six data centers, all near an elementary school and a mobile home park," Stephanie Ambriz said.

The community's resistance mirrors that of Imperial Valley residents, who fought against a nearly 1 million square foot data center approved by Imperial County Supervisors.

News Channel 3 made multiple attempts to get answers from city officials on the project, including questions on who the project developer is and if there are several phases. They have yet to respond.

Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on this story.