Imperial County Board of Supervisors Approves Lot Merger for Data Center

-Editorial 

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors convened a long-awaited public hearing that drew a large and divided crowd to consider an appeal filed by developer Sebastian Rucci tied to a proposed data center project, ultimately approving the contested lot merger and denying the City of Imperial’s appeal, with Martha Cardenas-Singh voting against it. 

The appeal stems from a previous decision by the Imperial County Planning Commission, in which the proposed lot merger failed to secure the required votes for approval. Following that outcome, the developer filed an appeal to bring the matter before the Board of Supervisors.

The meeting, which extended for several hours, featured testimony from community members, stakeholders, and representatives on both sides of the issue. 

Imperial County Planning Director Jim Minnick explained that the item before the Board was an appeal of a Planning Commission decision regarding Lot Merger 19-01, not the data center project itself. He said the proposal, submitted by Computer Valley Computer Manufacturing LLC, seeks to merge individual parcels near Clark Road and Eaton Road, in an area zoned for light industrial, medium industrial, and general agricultural uses, adjacent to jurisdictions including the County of Imperial and the cities of Imperial and El Centro. Minnick said the request also includes road and easement abandonments to facilitate future development, with access currently provided by Eaton, Clark, and Land River roads, the latter of which is proposed for vacation.

Minnick explained that lot mergers can only be approved when all parcels are continuous, legally recognized, and not restricted by easements or utilities. He emphasized that lot mergers, like parcel maps and conditional use permits, are subject to conditions of approval at different phases, such as before recordation or construction. For this project, key conditions include the abandonment of Land River Road, relocation or removal of utilities that divide parcels, and ensuring all merged lots are owned by the same entity at the time of recordation.

Tom DuBose of DuBose Design Group, representing Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing and current landowners, told the Board that the proposed lot merger meets all county and state requirements. He explained that the five parcels would be combined into one without creating new lots or affecting existing easements, access, or structures. DuBose noted that zoning would remain unchanged and emphasized that similar situations with multiple zones across property lines are not uncommon in the Imperial Valley.

Stephanie Sanders, a lifelong Imperial County resident and local business owner, spoke in support of the lot merger, emphasizing that her property has been zoned for industrial use for over 20 years. She urged the Board to evaluate the project based on existing zoning and legal allowances, noting that any nearby residential development does not affect her property rights. Sanders said the merger would promote economic growth and financial success for the Imperial Valley.

Supporters of the project spoke first at the hearing, after which members of the opposition began voicing their concerns.

Gilberto Manzanarez of Valle Imperial Resiste voiced strong opposition to the lot merger and the proposed Imperial Valley Data Center, arguing that the Board has not provided adequate public engagement or transparency. He criticized the process, saying residents are simply asking for “proper, ethical economic development” and questioning why the project has proceeded despite limited understanding among both the public and some Board members about data centers. Manzanarez noted that the Planning Commission’s original motion to approve the merger had failed in December and that subsequent efforts to table the item for further review have been ignored. He stressed that opponents of the project are not being paid or acting in bad faith, taking personal time off work to attend meetings and raise concerns. Manzanarez urged the Board to pause the lot merger to allow for more community input, including town halls and discussions at the city and IID level, so that residents can fully understand the potential impacts of the data center on the community before any approvals move forward.

Dr. Sergio Pesqueira opposed the lot merger, arguing it serves as a vehicle to advance a project he described as harmful to the community. He raised concerns about potential environmental impacts, public trust, and long-term economic consequences, questioning whether the promised jobs justify the risks. Pesqueira urged the Board of Supervisors to enact a moratorium to allow time for more information and emphasized that elected officials should follow the “golden rule” of doing no harm to the community, ultimately asking the Board to vote against the merger.

During the meeting, officials warned that anyone failing to follow decorum rules could be removed. Midway through public testimony, several audience members were escorted out, with some reportedly given little or no explanation for their ejection.

The first person removed from the meeting was Jake Tison, a regular attendee of Imperial County Board of Supervisors meetings and a prominent figure in the local Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) movement. Tison was sitting when deputies approached and asked him to leave. 

Shortly after Tison’s removal, Julian Daniel was asked to leave the county chambers by CEO Dr. Kathleen Lang who approached him personally. As he exited, Daniel shouted that he had a right to be disruptive and yelled, “No data center.”

Later in the meeting, when local labor union members were speaking in favor of the lot merger from the dais area, Calexico resident and activist Ismael Arvizu shouted, “Don’t vote for it.” Chairwoman Peggy Price ordered Arvizu to leave. He was then detained, handcuffed, and escorted by sheriff’s deputies to the El Centro Police Department.

Outside the county building, protesters voiced their opposition to the data center, chanting and using a bullhorn despite posted signs warning that bullhorns were prohibited. Among them was Jake Tyson, who encouraged others to stay outside and protest. 

Speakers inside criticized the method in which the meeting was being handled and reported long lines to enter the chambers, including many elderly residents. Supervisor Cardenas-Singh briefly stepped away visibly upset and asked for the elderly to be accommodated.

County Supervisor Jesus Escobar suggested reopening an overflow room at the county health department, as was done two weeks ago. Six mostly elderly people used the room, while outside, Jake Tison urged protesters to stay at the entrance, chanting, “Hell no, we won’t go,” when others were asked to use the space.

In the end, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the lot merger and deny the appeal by the city of Imperial. Most members of the majority emphasized that their approval applied only to the lot merger, not a city center development. Supervisor John Hawk said that when he took office, he promised to follow the law and defend the U.S. Constitution. Supervisor Cardenas-Singh opposed the measure, noting ongoing litigation against the city of Imperial and saying she ran on a platform to listen to the people, which led her to vote against it.

Chairwoman Price said she and her husband have worked in the county for decades and that her decision did not come lightly. “I volunteer my time and have long been involved in service clubs because I care deeply about this community,” she said. “But I won’t jeopardize my integrity because of threats or intimidation.” Price acknowledged the decision was difficult and that she expects criticism, noting she discussed it with her family, who reminded her that “your integrity is your shield.” She said that while she has long tried to make people happy through her work and service, she recognizes that not every decision will satisfy everyone. “This has not been easy, not one bit,” she said, adding that the item before the board represents only one piece of a larger project and that difficult decisions are sometimes necessary.