Ryan Companies challenges Eastmark's rejection of data center design review process

In the bustling heart of Mesa City, Arizona, a recent Planning and Zoning meeting unfolded, revealing tensions surrounding a proposed data center project that has stirred significant debate among city officials and community members. The meeting, held on April 30, 2025, brought to light a complex web of regulatory challenges and differing perspectives on the development process.

At the center of the discussion was a property that had previously been earmarked for a distribution and warehouse facility in 2021. The developer, Ryan Companies, sought to shift the property's use to a data center. However, this transition has not been straightforward. Susan Dimock, representing a concerned party, emphasized that the developers had bypassed the established Eastmark design review process, which has been a regulatory standard for over 14 years. She argued that the project should adhere to the same rigorous review that previous proposals underwent, highlighting a commitment to maintaining community standards.

Gary Hayes, representing Ryan Companies, countered these claims, asserting that the project had followed the necessary protocols and that the delays were due to miscommunications regarding zoning approvals. He expressed frustration over the rejection of their design review submission, which he claimed was initially conditionally approved. Hayes argued that the Eastmark Design Review Committee was conflating zoning issues with design approvals, creating unnecessary roadblocks for the project.

The meeting also featured a procedural discussion among board members about the appropriateness of further questioning both parties involved. The board recognized the significant discrepancies in the narratives presented by Dimock and Hayes, indicating a need for clarity before moving forward.

As the meeting concluded, the board members were left to ponder the implications of these discussions. The outcome of this project could set a precedent for future developments in Mesa, particularly regarding how regulatory processes are navigated and the balance between development interests and community standards. With the stakes high, both the city officials and the community await the next steps in this unfolding story, eager to see how Mesa will shape its future amidst the challenges of growth and development.