Peoria officials are moving toward tighter zoning oversight for data centers as demand for the facilities grows. The City Council directed staff to develop an amendment that would require applicants to obtain a special use permit, giving the council more discretion when reviewing individual projects.
Under the city’s current rules, data centers can be built in industrial zoning districts without council approval. Peoria also has separate policies addressing infrastructure demands from major water and wastewater users. Deputy Planning Director Lorie Dever said much of the city’s industrial property is already developed, limiting the potential for broad data center expansion.
Councilmember Matt Bullock, who owns a data protection and cybersecurity company, said facilities differ in size and function and may require different conditions. He cited the contrast between a small data center serving one office and a much larger operation. A special use permit would allow the council to consider those differences for each application.
Data centers in the Peoria Innovation Core, an economic development area in the northern part of the city, are restricted to a designated industrial zone. They also require council approval and must comply with operating limits. In the Legacy Point development near 75th and Northern avenues, the facilities are currently permitted without that approval, and Dever said an application is under city review.
Planning Director Chris Jacques said the city’s responsibilities include identifying suitable locations and creating rules addressing effects on nearby properties. He said other Arizona cities have considered issues including equipment and generator noise, water and electricity demand, building size, residential proximity, traffic and emergency access.
Dever said possible requirements could include setbacks and operating conditions, while noting that city regulations cannot prohibit a land use solely because officials or residents oppose it. The final details of the proposed amendment were not provided.
