Mesa City Council votes to amend zoning regulations for data centers

By Connor Van Ligten
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The Mesa City Council voted 5-0 to approve amendments to the Mesa city code to establish specific zoning regulations for data centers during their July 8 meeting.

Councilmembers Francisco Heredia and Alicia Goforth were absent.

City Manager Scott Butler emphasized the economic boost that data centers will provide, but also in how they can maximize land use for the city.

“We understand in our economy the importance of data centers,” Butler said at the July 8 meeting. “But equally true is the impact that data centers have on our ability to utilize our land use, especially in southeast Mesa, for the highest and best use to attract high quality, high wage jobs.”

Vice Mayor Scott Somers agreed.

“I think this ordinance is the first step in a number of newly designed, and more objective design standards for business industry and residential that will improve Mesa.” Somers said.

The council decision follows a 6-0 vote by the Mesa Planning and Zoning Board on June 25 to recommend approval of said amendments to the council.

The text amendments will add a definition for data center to the Mesa city code and modify the definition of indoor warehousing and storage. It will also modify land use tables to permit data centers as an accessory use in commercial and employment districts, as well as principal use in the general industrial and heavy industrial zoning districts.

“Over the past six years, we have had 15 data centers that have been approved or proposed within the city,” Mesa planner Rachel Phillips said at a study session prior to the June 25 Planning and Zoning Board meeting. “This is to address the unique characteristics of data centers.”

It will establish specific use standards for data centers, modify planned-area development overlay districts to allow land uses not otherwise permitted, and establish the conditions under which a waiver from the “data center laws” may be submitted.

“There are many variables to consider for future data center development including land use compatibility, land availability, utility demand and availability, residential impacts such as noise, low employment generation and broader sustainability concerns,” board documents stated. “Clear standards are essential to help the city manage these issues and guide responsible future development.”

The request was made by Mesa Development Services Director Nana Appiah, Planning Director Mary Kopaskie-Brown and Assistant Planning Director Rachel Phillips.

According to a board presentation, the amendments will help address a strategic balance with the development of future data centers that helps create sustainable growth and jobs for the community.

“We exist to enhance Mesa’s economy,” Mesa Economic Development Director Jaye O’Donnell said at the June 25 study session. “We do this by assisting in creating high quality jobs for our community and promoting investment. The end goal is to increase prosperity.”