The Goodyear City Council voted unanimously to completely overhaul its zoning laws for the first time since 1999, enacting strict safety boundaries for massive battery storage facilities and opening the door for more diverse housing options to protect local control over the city's development.
The approval ends a public process that began in January 2025. City planners designed the new 350-page document to address emerging land-use trends and state-level legislative pressures.
"The state does not feel that we are doing enough and they are considering, every year, taking different abilities for the cities to regulate its own future away," City Planning Manager Christian Williams said during an early public forum on the project. "We want to be a part of the solution, we want to be in control of our own destiny."
A focus of the updated ordinance involves modern tech facilities, specifically data centers and battery energy storage systems, which store massive amounts of grid power.
Under the newly adopted rules, the default minimum setback for a battery storage module is 100 feet from industrial uses, 150 feet from commercial properties, and 330 feet from sensitive developments like residential subdivisions, schools, and churches. Through a special use permit process, developers can request to reduce the residential setback to 150 feet if a technical safety study demonstrates the site can be operated safely.
Public speakers representing the Arizona Technology Council, Microsoft and the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association spoke in favor of the final draft during a public hearing, praising city staff for a collaborative outreach process.
"This has been a very long process, and we've had multiple conversations, and we know that (the city has) done a good job in engaging stakeholders," Council Member Laura Kaino said. "But for stakeholders to come to this meeting and to testify to that fact, is really remarkable, and it's a tribute to listening and responding to them."
Beyond technology, the rewritten ordinance provides a legal framework to address housing affordability. The updates allow for more flexability as housing types, such as duplexes, townhouses and accessory dwelling units are being built. It also reduces parking requirements and minimum lot sizes. City officials emphasized that the update revises development standards but will not alter existing zoning designations on private properties or raise property taxes.
To prevent the city's land-use laws from falling out of date again, the development services department will establish an annual review cycle to log recurring questions, address unintended issues, and track emerging industry trends.
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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