Action Alert
F3 encourages you to submit your written comments to the Planning and Zoning Commission at CDPandZCommission@flagstaffaz.gov or make verbal comments in person to the Planning and Zoning Commission at their meeting starting at 4:00 on Wednesday, March 25 at the City Hall Council Chambers. More information and F3’s position are detailed below.
Data Centers
City staff recently identified that Flagstaff currently doesn’t have the regulatory framework to address land use by data centers should such a request be received in the future. The City of Flagstaff has not received any requests for data centers to date.
The current gap in Flagstaff’s zoning code could potentially allow for data centers to be built on lands zoned both Light Industrial (and LI-Open) and Heavy Industrial (and HI-Open), a total of over 1,000 acres.
March 11, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Commissioners discussed a draft zoning code amendment that outlined the primary land use of data centers within land zoned as Heavy Industrial and Heavy Industrial-Open, with a required Conditional Use Permit. Under that proposal, the primary land use of data centers would not be allowed in lands zoned Light Industrial and Light Industrial-Open.
The draft amendment would allow data centers that are ancillary to another primary land use to be permitted by right in all zones if they occupy no more than ten percent of the building footprint, are used to serve the enterprise functions of the primary land use and are not housed in a separate stand-alone structure on a parcel.
The Commission asked questions of staff, discussed their concerns with data centers, requested edits to the draft zoning code amendment under discussion, and requested additional information be presented at the next meeting from city staff in Sustainability, Water Resources, and Economic Development.
Some of the Commissioners were concerned about allowing data centers in Flagstaff even with a required Conditional Use Permit and requested staff to draft a second zoning code amendment that would not allow data centers as a primary land use in Flagstaff.
March 25, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing
This Public Hearing will continue the discussion of data centers in Flagstaff with discussion of two proposals to amend the zoning code. The staff report, two different proposed zoning code amendments, and maps of affected areas are available here.
Proposal #1 is similar to the proposal reviewed by the Commission on March 11 and allows the primary land use of data centers only on lands zoned Heavy Industrial and Heavy Industrial-Open, with a required Conditional Use Permit. Maps provided with the agenda packet for this meeting indicate that the total area zoned in this way is 196 acres. Data centers as ancillary to another primary land use would be permitted by right in all zones if they occupy no more than ten percent of the building footprint, are used to serve the enterprise functions of the primary land use, and are not housed in a separate stand-alone structure on a parcel.
Proposal #2 would specifically exclude land use for data centers except as ancillary to another primary land use that would be permitted by right in all zones if they occupy no more than ten percent of the building footprint, are used to serve the enterprise functions of the primary land use, and are not housed in a separate stand-alone structure on a parcel.
F3’s Position
We commend city staff who identified that Flagstaff currently doesn’t have the regulatory framework to address land use by data centers. Without identifying and addressing this gap, over 1,000 acres of lands zoned both Light Industrial (and LI-Open) and Heavy Industrial (and HI-Open), could have been open to development by data centers. Identification has allowed the city to propose alternatives that address this gap prior to any requests for permission to built data centers within the city limits.
F3 has conducted an extensive review of documentation related to the impacts of data centers in the U.S. on the environment, human health, and communities. We have concluded that data centers are not compatible with our city given Flagstaff’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030 as outlined in the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan, and our city’s limited and valuable water resources.
F3 supports Proposal #2 as outlined in the agenda packet for the March 25 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, with the important inclusion of additional Conditional Use Permit requirements. We support Proposal #2 because it completely excludes primary land use for data centers on land zoned both Heavy Industrial and Light Industrial.
However, Proposal #2 would allow data centers by right that are used as ancillary to another primary land use in all zones if they occupy no more than ten percent of the building footprint, are used to serve the enterprise functions of the primary land use and are not housed in a separate stand-alone structure on a parcel. We are concerned that data centers that are ancillary to a primary land use may be of considerable size and require the use of large amounts of water to cool GPU equipment regardless of the 10% building footprint restriction outlined in the proposal.
F3 believes that Proposal #2 must be modified to state that ancillary data centers are not permitted by right, but rather must undergo a Conditional Use Permit process that limits and monitors water use.
F3 remains concerned about potential data center use on lands within Coconino County and are examining their status and regulation.
Council Public Hearings
After the March 25 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, the proposed amendment to the city’s zoning code addressing data centers will be discussed at a City Council Public Hearing on April 7. Adoption of the zoning amendment by City Council may take place on April 21. Check the council agendas for these dates to confirm the meeting and read the proposed zoning amendment.
Written comments can be submitted to City Council prior to the scheduled Public Hearings by emailing publiccomment@flagstaffaz.gov.
Public comment can be made to Council in person during the specific agenda item, or you may participate in the meeting virtually to provide verbal comments (see the link at the top of the agenda). City Council meetings start at 3:00 pm in council chambers at City Hall. These meetings can be attended in person or viewed on the city’s YouTube channel at any time. The agendas for these meetings are posted online here the Friday before the Council meeting.
Want to know more?
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View the two proposed zoning amendments, staff report, and maps here.
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Read about how data centers can affect communities here.
Questions? Feel free to email me at MJames@friendsofflagstaff.org
Michele James
Executive Director
