Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting - March 25, 2026 Part 2

The City of Flagstaff Planning & Zoning Commission met on March 25, 2026, to discuss zoning regulations related to data centers. The commission reviewed two proposals: one allowing data centers with conditional use permits and mitigation measures, and another proposing a ban on data centers within city limits. Public comments expressed significant concern about environmental impacts, including water use, energy consumption, noise, and heat generation. Commissioners debated the legal risks of permitting versus banning data centers, the adequacy of current zoning codes, and the potential economic benefits and drawbacks. The discussion included technical considerations such as facility size, power demand, and cooling methods. The commission leaned toward supporting the ban (proposal two) due to unresolved risks and community opposition, while acknowledging the need for further clarity on conditional use permit processes and future regulatory adaptations. No formal contract awards or procurement decisions were made during this meeting.