Founder and President of Rose Law Group Jordan Rose, who represents many data center developers says, “A change in the zoning interpretation of where a date center can locate may severely impact the State’s ability to serve the rapidly advancing technological needs of our economic development engine, so hopefully this won’t cause undue restrictions for data center uses.”
By Paul Maryniak | Ahwatukee Foothills News
As mammoth data centers continue to proliferate across the Valley, Phoenix administration officials want tighter rules to regulate their future growth in the city.
“Phoenix does not define data centers in the City’s General Plan, which provides policy guidance for the preservation, redevelopment and growth in the city nor are data centers defined in the Zoning Ordinance,” Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson told City Council in a report filed last week.
“Data centers have been permitted through informal interpretations to the Zoning Ordinance that have been allowed via interpretations in commercial and commerce park zoning districts.”
Stephenson’s report – which City Council was scheduled to discuss Dec. 10 – noted that Phoenix’s soaring population is attracting more employers “that help fuel rapid growth while maintaining a high quality of life for city residents.”
“Maintaining this momentum requires regular evaluation of City policies and the regulatory framework that implements those policies, market conditions and other quality of life metrics to ensure appropriate balances are maintained that best ensure continued successful fiscally responsible development of the City,” he wrote.
