[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6183691,"mediaKeyId","5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03","parentId",5094294,"title","Mesa staff propose zoning amendment for data centers, setting new design and operational standards","audioSeconds",2991,"startMs",1817000,"endMs",4808000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03&start=1817&end=4808","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03/thumbnail_1817000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183691/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-staff-propose-zoning-amendment-for-data-centers-setting-new-design-and-operational-standards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183691-9a074b4631d5f7adb9c2a48aaefe898b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148017&Signature=Wh4Ky-QQyQOk8KPJiLlmW0JA5ZoCrU1~UxVMBd20Yt576rwVE~g5lk9ia2KiIhkY0vXgJpAmdAFz1Acr8CsEAx7bQHAB5t7qVmMPeMTDLkeEvOCSgZs6GG-kqUDO2GEwClW3E4w-ZiOVyX9GNAFmIOhktigWL7A4cvNssIHjaHK7FfDUpPZ72HeM3xOLamhsprVCVlwSLl5Pcckn5Xet26uOa8WRbIyyp67TEt3XhhkMFhIdYL0nljhz2L2arNBzgvjLur72iZqtU5vG9OmqrqX9pKPO4sOvV5mLScjGeK2GEmEe~0FlHbyCkO7zuYkz6WcdIy2UlM4YyKY1~oLjGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mesa City, AZ ","date","2025-06-26T21:08:17Z","article","City staff told the Mesa City Council on June 26 that proposed zoning changes would create a formal definition and specific standards for data centers, a use the city says has rapidly expanded in recent years.

Staff described the text amendment package as a recalibration to address the “scale and proliferation” of modern data‑center facilities. City planning staff said 15 data centers have been constructed, approved or are under construction in Mesa in the past six years, representing roughly 1,500 acres and about 15,000,000 square feet of development. The proposed changes would add a specific definition, require approval of data centers only in the General Industrial (GI) and Heavy Industrial (HI) zoning districts via a Planned Area Development (PAD) overlay, and add objective development and operational standards in a new section of the zoning ordinance.

Key proposed rules staff described include:
• Minimum separation of 400 feet from residential zoning districts or sensitive uses; the 400‑foot figure would be measured from the data‑center property to the nearest residential property line or use, not merely from the data‑center building face.
• A maximum building height of 60 feet unless an exception is approved through a PAD.
• Application submittals that would include a “good neighbor” policy, an initial sound study to establish baseline ambient levels at the nearest residential property line, a water‑consumption and thermal‑management report (to show cooling plans and whether water cooling is proposed), and an electric and natural‑gas energy service report for properties inside the city service area.
• Ongoing operational requirements: a post‑occupancy sound study within 30 days of certificate of occupancy and annual sound studies for the first five years; restrictions and public notices tied to use of backup generators; and screening requirements for substations and mechanical equipment.
• Updated parking standards (staff revised an initial calculation after industry comment to a formula of 1 space per 5,000 square feet for the first 200,000 square feet and 1 space per 10,000 square feet thereafter).

Staff said the amendments are not a ban. They emphasized that data centers would remain possible under GI and HI zoning with a PAD and that a waiver process will allow certain Light Industrial parcels to request approval for three years under a Prop 207 waiver process established by state statute and voter‑approved Proposition 207. Planning and Zoning recommended the change and a vote record was corrected to show a 6‑1 recommendation.

Council members asked detailed questions about water and energy. Mayor and Council Member Duff urged restrictions on water cooling, citing Colorado River and CAP water constraints; Energy and Water staff said the city already uses a large‑water‑user ordinance that caps municipal allocations for large users and requires them to procure dedicated water rights for additional use. Staff also described constraints from air‑quality permitting for on‑site generation and noted a permit and utility interconnection would be required for any generation beyond backup.

Staff said they have received robust written comments from residents (more than 175 residents) and from industry stakeholders (about 37 stakeholders representing roughly 27 organizations) and that staff revised several provisions based on feedback, including clarifications on substation screening, sound‑study requirements and the waiver process. The amendments are scheduled for introduction on July 1 and for action on July 8.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Study Session - 6/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the Mesa City Council on June 26 that proposed text amendments would define data centers and add new development, utility and operational requirements, including separation from residences and initial and ongoing sound studies.","taxTitle","Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2210,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183696,"Mesa council staff review details of Medina Station development agreement and $6.4 million sales-tax cap",1423,2192000,769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03&start=2192&end=769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03/thumbnail_2192000.jpg","/articles/6183696/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-council-staff-review-details-of-Medina-Station-development-agreement-and-64-million-sales-tax-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183696-e7382f1a30181ee95e2f184531db9464/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148017&Signature=GwoDjbLVKDmRdx~NeTrBN9h1AfKn3wPXAFHc3K5uGxnhrV276Mhw~sorEOmKH97utWBqioawJk1QVGK-8BmmJ6N7kD75IaKmm1CKs04oqGvCOqj5j2-pQ5jrgmsWby69qP-d1iBm2dSGDPA~Qy74yB4~tq0aGUZi4TYUj~Kk6B2npLUMmNb1~7ox2iyiTmp08TO99AePkIQbR5pckCmrkJjnYtXqDtKxvlTt95PtMPI8N5caC0EW9IyVWe-cf9OUGj3sWEBMskzK3sNdLJ6XL9jAB6y5SbllOuaej3Q1eJa9T95XAQBDLI-1WJ~Opf3Gw1AZ--b0M1pfI4e7aWva6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa City Council members spent a portion of their June 26 study session reviewing a proposed development agreement for Medina Station that would reimburse up to $6,400,000 in sales-tax revenues to the project developer.

City staff explained the proposed reimbursement mix would include full (100%) reimbursement of construction sales tax attributable to the project’s non‑dedicated sales taxes, while retail sales taxes attributable to the project’s retail anchors and a five‑restaurant “restaurant row” would be reimbursed at 50% of the non‑dedicated retail sales taxes collected. Staff said the 10‑year economic incentive period begins once all conditions precedent are satisfied and that the incentive period would end sooner if the $6.4 million cap is reached.

Council Member Duff pressed staff for clarity on what types of sales taxes are included and how the retailer‑specific reimbursements are measured. Staff said retail reimbursements apply only to taxable activity the city can collect from those particular retailers and restaurants when they file returns; those receipts are then eligible for the 50% reimbursement. Staff also said that construction sales tax is credited for the whole project while the retail rebate only applies to taxes tied to the designated anchor retailers and restaurants. Council members asked for the final revenue analysis; staff said an updated analysis was being rerun and expected back the same day, and that the developer will appear at the next study session to answer additional questions.

Council members discussed other agreement details, including the involvement of Target, which staff said owns a parcel within the project and is included in the agreement so its retail and construction sales taxes can be attributed to the public‑infrastructure reimbursement. Council members also asked whether the project could require local restaurants or public art; staff said design guidelines for Restaurant Row already include public‑art requirements and that the restaurant incentives include qualitative requirements intended to attract higher‑end or out‑of‑market restaurant concepts.

No formal action was taken during the study session. Staff said it will provide the final revenue analysis prior to any final vote and that the developer will appear at the next regular meeting to answer outstanding questions.

The council’s additional questions touched on annexation, infrastructure costs and the city’s maintenance obligations for new infrastructure, and on whether alternative, non‑annexation strategies might better encourage development on sites already served by infrastructure. Staff said those broader policy questions would be addressed in other redevelopment discussions scheduled for coming meetings.

For now, the council’s direction was procedural: staff will return the updated analysis and the developer will present to council for further review prior to final action.","Mesa City Council members spent a portion of their June 26 study session reviewing a proposed development agreement for Medina Station that would reimburse up to $6,400,000 in sales‑tax revenues to the project developer.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183677,"City and ASU to study reuse of downtown post office, with consultants to map options and costs",2567,9329000,11896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03&start=9329&end=11896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03/thumbnail_9329000.jpg","/articles/6183677/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/City-and-ASU-to-study-reuse-of-downtown-post-office-with-consultants-to-map-options-and-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183677-83092c30f3431d16ba68cddbe50c762b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148017&Signature=kZ6~gNL0o7NXjU4gOcmwwowQqOpPUGKZkUz6RjgPk4rKMfQmb-PCPhUBpxQGxS-ZO4xwyXRyPx-r~MqZZdHlXonHK5M3N5EcKp0e0Amu93gCqBPeqqaevJMgEmaNniPk9J9Mzc6PkLwIvn7JmzjeYzZ3cj8VjG1gGYOMo14ETu8WxeFW5PqJZc5yn7yF0MeAtc0N9JE~~-lPBLyIEiXznDRmd1m40nxlt6ZLN5DsfkvJNrXbq6WRBZe4VptsCm7PPxJfMVMiaSoMHVDjCM0-8LK9uz3OcTjfBpOtvr4AP18~KCj381jkEUUCZgXW315oNqJLW~L6yGc1sCszDUl~lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Arizona State University and city staff described progress at the Mesa City Center and requested council authorization on June 26 to fund consultant work that will evaluate reuse scenarios for the downtown post office and create conceptual designs that better connect downtown assets.

ASU planner Rick Neymar and city staff reviewed outcomes from the Media and Immersive Experience Center (the Mix), which opened in fall 2022. Staff reported the Mix is supporting degree and nondegree programs, entrepreneurship and industry engagement: ASU told council it has about 845 students enrolled in Mix‑related degree programs, roughly 65 faculty/staff tied to downtown programming and hundreds of community and entrepreneurship events per year. ASU emphasized that the Mix has become a regional draw for creative‑technology visitors and industry partnerships and that further campus footprint could strengthen downtown economic activity.

The intergovernmental agreement between Mesa and ASU (2018 and updated in 2024) identifies multiple potential ASU development sites in downtown, including the U.S. Post Office property on Center Street, the library parking lot and the municipal building site at 55 North Center. The post office property reverted to city ownership on June 1 and the building is roughly 50+ years old; city staff said no as‑built plans were available and that detailed study is required to assess reuse, including whether a retail postal counter can remain while parts of the building are repurposed.

Staff asked council to authorize a consultant study (including as‑built drawings and conceptual design work) to evaluate options for the post office and for pedestrian and programming connections — a shaded, lit “light walk” — that would link Mesa Arts Center, the Mix and the convention center. Staff estimated the consultant effort could cost up to approximately $500,000 and said they would return with a recommended financing split, a proposed project budget and a timeline; staff also told council they aim to present firm recommendations by the end of the calendar year. Councilors signaled they wanted the city and ASU to move faster on the work.

Separately, staff said the former council chambers is being discussed as a partner site under the IGA; the city would design and construct any improvements and license space to ASU for program use. The 51–55 East Main Street site also drew ASU interest; staff said options include joint city‑ASU development or a city‑led redevelopment with ASU tenancy, and staff will evaluate which path best supports arts and downtown activation.

Council gave direction to proceed with consultant work to explore the post office and related connectivity and programming options and asked staff to return with budget and schedule details.","Arizona State University and Mesa staff reviewed ASU’s expanding downtown presence and asked council permission to fund consultant work to evaluate reuse of the municipal post office, create as‑built drawings and develop conceptual designs for an interconnected ‘light walk’ linking Mesa Arts Center, the mix",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183682,"City outlines redevelopment focus areas and new urban transformation team work to speed infill and reuse",2709,6451000,9160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03&start=6451&end=9160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03/thumbnail_6451000.jpg","/articles/6183682/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/City-outlines-redevelopment-focus-areas-and-new-urban-transformation-team-work-to-speed-infill-and-reuse","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183682-4525d2749fa98a14a6cf3de60a718294/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148017&Signature=njTMHPtJMzTQ6BfmKMG-iI2e2AaHsfVivWfMlXfbFjdGh6ycE~fP5h~JoViQtS0piD7ZcnreDQQ0qyaPu6jry30cIfv~CgLoFPyqBnl2y6B8R0YGUjxEiv9ya3XgVgq828chx8U2GI32wUjZY45pjkKMexpkjV1vZE2jd1JQiy8VqypXrR-qIoA5DB4LLPiU5HGlYUe6MZsgzq11PsnAIqffDXuG9~YdapNocf~IEtx~UD2HKYEy6xPWUjsktWoBh64852gb8XKd8~QYlBNpnCWAfYx2WvWNmiv9upte8ft1UoNa0NoYvpH7RYpFlRbUMCLgL5datV0LpwR3GuRrHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa staff outlined a new, citywide redevelopment push at the June 26 study session, describing geographic focus areas and a hands‑on approach intended to help stalled and underused properties move to productive reuse.

Jeff Robbins and the Office of Urban Transformation told the council the city is shifting from a passive posture to proactive outreach: staff are cataloguing parcels where land value exceeds existing improvements, meeting one‑on‑one with owners and brokers, producing feasibility analyses, and cultivating a pool of potential buyers. The presentation identified a broad set of focus areas, including the entire Main Street corridor (from Mesa’s west edge to its eastern border where city jurisdiction allows), aging arterial shopping centers (for example, segments of Southern Avenue and the Brown & Higley area) and sites near major public investments such as the light‑rail corridor and downtown assets including Mesa Arts Center and the convention center.

Robbins and economic development staff described the office’s “bread and butter” services: feasibility studies for difficult parcels, concierge assistance connecting sellers with buyers and buyers with city technical resources, and continued coordination with other departments (utilities, planning, code compliance). Staff said their outreach has already helped resolve title or parcel anomalies, advance an auction sale into a proposed hotel and convert stalled listings into letters of intent. Angelica Guevara, director of Code Compliance, said preliminary spot surveys in redevelopment target areas found common violations that deter investment (trash, outdoor storage, overgrown lots) and that the department will prioritize voluntary outreach then citations only when necessary.

Council members asked about tools and funding. Staff said Arizona lacks tax‑increment financing (TIF) authority, which many other states use for redevelopment, and that available state incentives are focused on jobs and facilities rather than small infill projects; staff recommended the council authorize further study and bring back a menu of possible tools for Mesa, ranging from code/regulatory fixes and design assistance to small grants or targeted incentives. Council members indicated initial support for staff to continue with outreach and return with funding options and more detailed program recommendations.

Staff proposed performance metrics, including contacts made, feasibility analyses completed, letters of intent generated, and—once projects advance—standard economic indicators such as capital investment, jobs and tax base change. Council asked staff to return with specific program options and budget estimates.","City staff presented an update on redevelopment priorities, identifying focus areas — including the full Main Street corridor and downtown‑adjacent districts — and described a hands‑on outreach program of feasibility analyses, property owner engagement and a small‑project “concierge” service to help stalled parcels move to development; staff",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183687,"Mesa staff seek to clarify home‑occupation rules to improve enforcement, not to expand limits",1050,832000,1882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03&start=832&end=1882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5094294-a04c6a9326e886f72339934edbe39b03/thumbnail_832000.jpg","/articles/6183687/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-staff-seek-to-clarify-homeoccupation-rules-to-improve-enforcement-not-to-expand-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183687-f4100ddfa811fbbffbdb28b870fab9a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148017&Signature=ZKTb0GgDNH8GKlULaOnscs1FvIfdSuyrg4t8xb~CwP7QDHTXcneMb2D2QESNCPckeV7MX16kCiaU75Pfm89yv4jKcjVf8iJBjEyX6ZHhsks0RSCvlMFPzv2igpIGLp8~1mpc2zmzVemZL~HuN~PCDBVrnZina~f1sXBT7cYtXHhyzdrgttBOdvB-GnPOQB92AGYGQBKIhEX~CZS8EYMidnU~yehn1z~oiRNdIyyQpoxk83Fm0UZlmRQhlhSYX4reOVsiNtHL4jT~O7llVf1kxgbXcXaJ5WkY8cLJP1kankScuJ5t2ogNPEE5Bb77Nm1Wi82AYyhulhqko2MCmWLEzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa staff told council on June 26 that proposed revisions to the city’s home‑occupation provisions are clarifications to improve enforceability, not substantive changes to expand or restrict permitted home‑based activities.

Planning staff said the zoning refinement ordinance refines the definition in Chapter 87 and the specific use standards in Chapter 31 so that code enforcement can cite violations when any single criterion is breached. Staff explained that prior ambiguous language led to a hearing‑officer interpretation that required proving violation of all criteria simultaneously, which limited the city’s ability to enforce against nuisance uses such as auto repair, outdoor display and unscreened storage of appliances.

Code compliance staff described typical enforcement challenges: complaints where inoperable vehicles, auto repair activities and outdoor product displays (for example, used appliances) were observable but officers could not always corroborate a violation at the time of inspection because residents sometimes described activities in benign terms. Staff said enforcement will continue to prioritize voluntary compliance, outreach and education; citations are used when necessary.

Council members asked how the clarifications would affect small, low‑impact home occupations such as piano lessons, tutoring or limited professional services. Planning and code staff said those personal‑service and office‑type activities generate few complaints and would not be targeted; the clarified language is intended to focus enforcement on activities that produce repeated neighborhood complaints or clear, observable impacts.

Staff said outreach for the text amendment followed the city’s normal process: notice in the paper, a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Board, and availability through the council packet. Staff told council that the ordinance is intended to make the code’s intent clearer so enforcement can proceed as originally intended.","City planning staff told council the zoning refinement for home occupations is a language‑clarification, intended to make enforcement feasible: code compliance told the council they have trouble proving violations when not all criteria were clearly written; the change clarifies that violation of any listed criterion constitutes a violation of the","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mesa staff propose zoning amendment for data centers, setting new design and operational standards

Mesa council staff review details of Medina Station development agreement and $6.4 million sales-tax cap

City and ASU to study reuse of downtown post office, with consultants to map options and costs

City outlines redevelopment focus areas and new urban transformation team work to speed infill and reuse

Mesa staff seek to clarify home‑occupation rules to improve enforcement, not to expand limits