Related Articles
-Editorial
The Imperial County Planning Commission voted to continue the hearing on a proposed lot merger connected to a large data center project, allowing additional time for the county, other agencies, and the public to review the proposal.
Planning & Development Services Director Jim Minnick said the commission’s authority was limited to continuing the hearing.
“That’s the extent of what the Planning Commission can make a motion on,” Minnick said. “They can’t order any changes. Based on public input, there wasn’t enough information to move forward. The hearing will continue at a later date, where the commission will review the same discretionary action project, which is the lot merger.”
A lot merger is a legal process that combines adjacent parcels into a single parcel, removing previous lot lines for legal and land-record purposes. The process simplifies boundaries but does not approve development. In Imperial County, mergers can be initiated by property owners or the county under specific circumstances. Any future development on merged parcels must undergo separate review, including discretionary approvals and public input.
The decision followed extensive public comment, focusing on potential impacts including land use, infrastructure demands, and environmental effects. Speakers raised concerns about the scale of the proposed development and its long-term effects on the surrounding area.
Michelle Hollinger of Victoria Homes questioned the legality of the merger, noting that the parcels are not under common ownership, a requirement under state law. “You cannot approve first and fix ownership later,” she said, emphasizing that only the Board of Supervisors has the authority to approve the merger. Hollinger also cited zoning restrictions, a public road that could block the merger, and the need for a full environmental review, including an updated evaluation for AI data center standards.
El Centro resident Peter Rodriguez urged commissioners to consider community interests. “Please hear the communities that you come from. Take pride in your work and in your community,” Rodriguez said, questioning the project’s leadership and past initiatives that promised jobs but produced limited results.
The project, submitted by Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing LLC, proposes a 950,000-square-foot data center with battery storage, substations, cooling towers, and wastewater infrastructure.
The City of Imperial formally requested that the Planning Commission deny the lot merger, citing false claims of ownership, violation of the Subdivision Map Act and county code, conflicts with zoning and the general plan, and potential environmental impacts. The city emphasized the need for a full Environmental Impact Report to evaluate the project, consider alternatives, and implement mitigation measures. The city of Imperial filed a lawsuit against the county in opposition to the project.
In a related statement, the City of El Centro addressed reports about the proposed data center and potential use of reclaimed wastewater. The City said no agreements or approvals have been made with any developer, no applications have been received, and no commitment exists to construct infrastructure to support such a project. While the City did issue a conditional “will-serve” letter regarding potable water as an informational tool, it stressed that the letter does not constitute approval or a promise of service.
City officials emphasized that any prospective development must undergo a formal, transparent review process to assess impacts on infrastructure, natural resources, and the community.
