Cochise County adopts CP 2045 with energy and data‑center guardrails after months of public debate

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on March 10 to adopt the county'wide Comprehensive Plan, CP 2045, approving an amendment (Exhibit B) that supervisors and staff said adds clarifying language on energy siting, decommissioning and oversight for emerging uses such as data centers.

Christine McLaclin, director of Development Services, told the board the plan is a policy framework for land use, water, transportation, housing and economic development through 2045 and does not rezone property or approve projects. "The comp plan helps ensure decisions about land use, transportation, water resource and public services are coordinated and considered together rather than in isolation," McLaclin said during the staff presentation.

The presentation outlined a five‑point water strategy to align growth with verified water availability, protect groundwater and surface water quality, encourage conservation and reuse, support aquifer recharge where feasible and evaluate emerging supply strategies. McLaclin also said the plan emphasizes preserving rural character while supporting targeted economic development such as ports of entry, compatible mining and agriculture, and workforce development.

Public comment at the hearing focused heavily on proposed standards for data centers, water use and renewable energy. "Data centers come with real cost: water consumption, energy demand, hazardous materials," said Christine Aches, a resident, urging baseline groundwater and soil testing and independent health expertise before permitting such projects. Joan Murphy and other speakers expressed concern that tourism and other local industries were not elevated in the plan''remarks echoed by multiple commenters.

Supervisor Gomez, who proposed the exhibit B language adopted by the board, described her changes as protection for communities and local control. "Consideration," she said the amendment will require, "rather than preference," for siting certain energy projects near existing communities, and she asked for language requiring environmental monitoring and decommissioning plans. Gomez said the change gives residents a stronger voice in where projects are sited.

Supervisor Crosby and Supervisor Antinori emphasized the plan's role in attracting infrastructure investment, particularly around the county's ports of entry. Crosby asked how new commercial or industrial uses are initiated in rural areas and staff explained zoning classifications, nonconforming use protections and the amendment process that requires public hearings at the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board.

The board voted to adopt Exhibit B as an amendment and then to adopt Resolution 26‑06 to approve CP 2045 as amended; the motion carried 3–0. County staff said the new plan replaces the 2015 comprehensive plan and remains subject to future amendment through public process.

What happens next: Planning and Development Services will publish the adopted plan and staff said the planning and zoning commission and the board will continue work sessions and public meetings on specific regulatory items, including a separate Planning & Zoning discussion on data center definitions and siting.

Officials and commenters cited water as the central constraint. The plan's emphasis on aligning growth with verified water availability means that future entitlements or permits for high‑water‑use projects will still be subject to separate hearings and review under county rules and state law.