Council approves Hermosa Ranch Technology Campus North PAD amendment allowing slightly taller data‑center structures

The Avondale City Council on July 7 adopted an amendment to the Hermosa Ranch Technology Campus North planned area development (PL 25‑0054), approving modest increases in permitted heights for equipment screening and elevator penthouses for a planned data‑center campus and clarifying the phasing and required on‑ and off‑site improvements.

City planners said the 239‑acre site at the southwest corner of Lower Buckeye Road and Avondale Boulevard — a former dairy farm rezoned to planned area development in 2024 — will include a commercial center (Parcel A) and the data center campus (Parcel B). The amendment raises the maximum building height from 50 to 52 feet, increases allowable parapet height from 5 to 9 feet above the maximum building height, and permits screening around mechanical equipment up to 77 feet and elevator penthouse screening up to 86 feet above the maximum building height. Staff said the tallest equipment screening areas will be set back at least 10 feet from building edges and elevator equipment will be sited to reduce visibility from public streets.

Joshua Orton, lead senior planner, told council the amendment also ties required frontage improvements to development of the named parcels. Parcel A will be required to construct frontage improvements along Avondale Boulevard and Lower Buckeye Road and contribute $500,000 toward a traffic signal at Miami Avenue and Avondale Boulevard. Parcel B must construct adjacent right‑of‑way improvements, a traffic signal at 119th and Lower Buckeye Road, and a trail along the regional power line corridor per the city’s active transportation plan.

Orton said the amendment meets the five required findings for planned area developments and noted the Planning Commission voted 5‑0 to recommend approval after a public meeting in May. Staff reported 20 written responses received through Avondale Connect and email, with most concerns focused on the commercial timeline and the increased heights; the applicant provided perspectives showing how increased heights will appear with landscaping buffers.

Carolyn Overholser, the applicant’s attorney, told council Fry’s (a grocery anchor) has accelerated the commercial component’s timeline: the Fry’s site plan is approved and construction drawings will follow, with the store expected to open before the end of next year. Overholser said work on the data‑center campus is on a longer schedule, with the first building expected to be operational in early 2028.

Council members who spoke in support cited the benefits of bringing grocery and retail amenities to south Avondale while noting residents’ height concerns had been addressed by the applicant’s visuals and setback requirements. Council Member Garcia said he had been inclined to vote no because of height concerns but decided to support the measure to encourage commercial investment in the south part of the city.

A motion from Council Member White, seconded by Council Member Wise, carried 7‑0 to adopt the ordinance amending the Hermosa Ranch Technology Campus North PAD, subject to the 12 conditions listed in the staff report.