Data centers house the computer servers that run our increasingly digitized world. These centers can be stand alone facilities or portions of a building used to house computer systems, servers, networking equipment, and other infrastructure used for the storage, processing, management, or distribution of digital data. The construction of data centers is on the rise across the US.
The City of Flagstaff will be discussing proposed changes to the zoning code for data centers starting this week. The first meeting will be a work session with the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday, March 11 at 4:00. This meeting will be the start of a discussion and the city would like to hear from the public as well as commissioners.
At the March 11 work session, city staff will present an overview of the proposed amendments and allow interested individuals, residents, and business owners to to provide comments. Commissioners may ask questions, seek clarification, discuss, and offer comments on the proposed amendments. No formal action will take place at this meeting.
A public hearing at the Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled for March 25. Then, the discussion will move to City Council on April 7 and April 21.
Planning and Zoning Commission Meetings
Meetings to discuss the zoning amendments for data centers will take place on March 11 and March 25 at 4:00 pm in the council chambers at City Hall. Meetings can be attended in person or viewed on the city’s YouTube channel (both live & recorded).
Public comments can be made in person or you may participate in the meeting virtually: Join the Meeting Online. The public can submit written comments to CDPandZCommission@flagstaffaz.gov. Comments received will be read at the dais by a staff member.
City Council Meetings
The proposed amendments to the city’s zoning code will be discussed at a City Council Public Hearing on April 7. Adoption of the amendments by City Council my take place on April 21. 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. The agendas for these meetings are posted online here the Friday before the Council meeting.
Public comments 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). Written comments can be submitted to: publiccomment@flagstaffaz.gov and to the mayor and city council at: council@flagstaffaz.gov
Want to know more?
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View the City’s staff memo about the zoning code amendments here.
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Read the text of the proposed zoning code amendments here.
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Read about how data centers can affect communities here.
Summary of the anticipated timeline for the data center amendments:
March 11, 2026 – Planning and Zoning Commission Work Session
March 25, 2026 – Potential Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing
April 7, 2026– Potential City Council Public Hearing (1st Reading of Ordinance)
April 21, 2026– Potential City Council Public Hearing (2nd Reading of Ordinance/Adoption)
Michele James
Executive Director
