From Arizona AI · Oct 30, 2026 · Data centers

Glendale approves zoning for data-center campus with 700-MW gas plant

proposed map and details for Project Eagle (AN-273), a 160-acre land annexation and rezoning project considered and voted on by the Glendale City Council. · Image: Glendalestar.com

Glendale City Council voted 6-1 on October 27 to approve annexation and rezoning for Project Eagle/Baccara, a proposed data-center and natural-gas power development on roughly 160 acres near Litchfield Road and Olive Avenue. Both measures passed by the same margin, according to West Valley Post’s report of the vote.

Project Eagle is the data-center portion of the development; Project Baccara is the adjoining power plant. The Arizona Corporation Commission describes the proposed plant as having 700.2 megawatts of generating capacity. That figure describes electricity production capacity, rather than a confirmed measure of the data centers’ demand. The commission identifies Takanock as the project developer.

What Glendale approved

The council adopted two ordinances: O26-38, approving annexation into Glendale, and O26-39, establishing project-specific Planned Area Development zoning. The latter sets the permitted development and its conditions. The October 27 council agenda includes both measures and their supporting documents.

These votes address jurisdiction and land use. They do not themselves issue construction permits or establish that construction has started. West Valley Post distinguishes the council approvals from design review, building permits and other development steps.

The city’s rezoning report describes three one-story data-center buildings, 18 gas-powered turbines and a future substation for Arizona Public Service, or APS, an electric utility. Development is planned in phases, with turbines coming online to support the data centers.

Glendale’s annexation report presents the project as an opportunity for employment and private investment. During the public process, nearby residents raised concerns about water, noise, air quality and safety, while some residents supported the development, according to ABC15’s coverage.

How the power plant fits into the plan

The Arizona Corporation Commission voted 5-0 on February 4, 2026, to approve a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility for the proposed gas plant. The commission described that certificate as one of several required approvals.

The applicant’s development narrative says part of the plant’s generation would initially run continuously to supply the data centers until an APS substation and transmission connection are completed. After that, the narrative anticipates intermittent generation for backup power, electricity supplied to the grid, or both.

Water documents identify a provider and possible additional supplies

The city’s annexation report identifies EPCOR, a water and wastewater utility, as the service provider.

The applicant’s development narrative also describes a potential recycled-wastewater supply supported by a letter of intent, and possible groundwater use within the water rights associated with the property. Those passages describe anticipated supply arrangements; they do not establish completed deliveries or the volumes ultimately available.

The 12 zoning conditions do not specify a numerical annual water-use cap. Limits may arise through water rights, utility agreements or other approvals, so the zoning document alone cannot establish the project’s full water allowance.

Air-quality requirements depend on the permits

The zoning ordinance requires continuous monitoring of emissions-unit operations in accordance with county air-permit conditions and applicable regulations.

The zoning condition does not list numerical pollutant limits or pollutant-by-pollutant monitoring methods. Those details must be read from the applicable air permits and regulations.

Emergency-response funding requires a separate agreement

Before the first certificate of occupancy, the developer must enter an agreement with Glendale setting its financial contribution toward specialized emergency response, including hazardous-material services. Condition 12 does not specify the contribution amount.

The deadline concerns entering the agreement. It does not establish that money has already been paid or that a particular fire station will be built.

Other requirements listed in the council report include protected underground propane storage, secondary fire access before first-phase occupancy, firefighting water capacity and inspections. A temporary alternative for secondary access is allowed with the Fire Marshal’s approval.

Luke Air Force Base compatibility is conditional

Glendale’s annexation report says Luke Air Force Base found the proposed use compatible if the conditions in its June 30, 2026 letter are met. The zoning ordinance expressly requires compliance with that letter.

The applicant’s development narrative addresses interference with aircraft communications and radar, emissions or plumes that could affect pilot visibility, and fire and fuel-storage risks.

Earlier county military-compatibility materials also called for professional analysis of aviation interference, airspace, glare, exhaust plumes and fire protection. The conditions presented for county approval called for corrective action if Luke Air Force Base or aviation regulators identified interference with aircraft operations.

The compatibility finding therefore comes with obligations that must be demonstrated through the project’s design and operation.

The next records to follow

The council’s rezoning report lists specific checkpoints: a traffic-impact statement must be approved before formal design-review approval, and the emergency-response funding agreement must be in place before first occupancy.

For the project’s progress, the records to follow include:

Design approvals and construction permits for each phase.
Water-service commitments and applicable withdrawal or use limits.
Air-permit requirements and subsequent compliance records.
The emergency-response agreement, including its amount and payment terms.
Documentation demonstrating compliance with Luke’s conditions.

ABC15 reported that Glendale expected construction to begin in November. That is the city’s projected timing. The October 27 votes themselves confirm annexation and zoning approval.

Sources

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