Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting - March 11, 2026

The City of Flagstaff Planning & Zoning Commission held a meeting on March 11, 2026, to discuss a proposed zoning code amendment regarding the land use classification and regulation of data centers. Staff presented the need to clarify and add specific use standards for data centers, which are currently permitted only in heavy industrial zones under a conditional use permit (CUP). The amendment aims to address potential impacts such as noise, energy consumption, water use, and visual design by establishing detailed requirements including noise studies, energy source documentation, water impact analyses, and architectural standards. Commissioners expressed concerns about noise pollution, water resource availability, enforcement capacity, and potential state preemption if the city outright bans data centers. They also discussed the limited heavy industrial land available and the challenges of balancing economic development with community and environmental impacts. Staff agreed to prepare two versions of the amendment for further public hearing: one allowing data centers with CUP conditions and another prohibiting them outright. The commission emphasized the importance of ongoing evaluation of noise standards, water use policies, and decommissioning plans for data centers. No contract awards or procurement decisions were made during this meeting, but the discussion sets the stage for future regulatory actions that could affect data center development and related procurement in Flagstaff.