California city bans new data centers — and sold donated parkland to one for $10 million

—A California city has become the first in the United States to ban new data center construction, responding to growing community opposition over energy use, noise, and land use conflicts. The move comes amid a separate controversy: local residents discovered the city had sold land donated specifically for a public park to a data center developer for $10 million. The dual revelations have energized a nationwide movement pushing back against the rapid proliferation of AI infrastructure.