Glendale Planning Commission Advances Controversial Data…

The Glendale Planning Commission recently voted 4-2 to recommend rezoning a 160-acre site for Project Eagle, a large-scale data center campus, advancing the controversial proposal to the city council. Developed by Michigan-based Takanock LLC, the project, formerly known as Project Baccara, includes plans for three 330,000 square-foot data centers and 18 natural gas power generation turbines. The proposed site is located in unincorporated Maricopa County, adjacent to Luke Air Force Base, and has already secured a military compatibility permit.

The initiative faces significant pushback from local residents, who have voiced concerns over potential environmental impacts, particularly regarding water usage and noise pollution, especially given Maricopa County's high ozone pollution levels. If approved, the land would transition from heavy industrial to a planned area development. The Glendale City Council is slated to vote on both the rezoning and the annexation of the site into the city by the end of October.

This local development unfolds amidst a broader statewide discussion in Arizona concerning data center expansion. While Attorney General Kris Mayes has advocated for a moratorium on new data center construction to establish clearer regulations, Governor Katie Hobbs has publicly opposed such a pause. Arizona currently hosts 160 data centers, with the majority concentrated in Phoenix, highlighting the region's growing importance in the data infrastructure sector. Developers and investors should closely monitor the Glendale City Council's decision, as it will indicate the city's stance on balancing economic development with environmental and community concerns in a rapidly expanding market.