20260825 Work Session Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments Data Centers

This was a work session held by the Cochise County Board of Supervisors on August 25, 2026, focused on zoning ordinance text amendments related to data centers. The discussion centered on the recently adopted data center ordinance, its scope, and the regulatory framework for evaluating data center proposals, particularly large-scale or hyperscale facilities defined as those with 5 megawatts or greater power demand. The board reviewed the ordinance's provisions for special use review, development standards, and public notification processes. Key procurement-related topics included the ordinance's role in managing impacts such as water use, electrical demand, noise, traffic, and environmental concerns, as well as the county's ability to impose conditions or deny projects based on these factors. The board emphasized the importance of transparency and public access to application information, proposing the creation of a dedicated data center webpage. They also discussed the need to differentiate between hyperscale and smaller data centers in the ordinance and to clarify definitions and thresholds. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were made, but the session laid groundwork for future regulatory actions and potential amendments to the ordinance to better manage data center development in the county.