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Project Eagle Data Center Annexation

At a glance

  • What: Annexation AN-273 of about 160 acres west of the northwest corner of Litchfield Road and Olive Avenue, for a data center campus with a gas turbine generation facility (Project Eagle).
  • Where it stands: A public hearing was held on September 22, 2026. No Council action was required that night. The City zoning applied on annexation would be M2 (heavy industrial); the applicant intends to seek a later rezoning from M2 to a planned area development (PAD) for the campus.
  • Next: Council vote on the annexation and the follow-up PAD rezoning (dates not in the records read). The data center air permit is expected in the first or early second quarter of 2027.

The hearing (September 22, 2026)

  • Tirella said the site is in the county zoned IND3 (heavy industrial) with an approved military compatibility permit. The closest City zoning, M2, would apply on annexation.
  • The site lies within the 75 and 80 noise contours of Luke Air Force Base; most structures, including the gas turbines and substation, are inside the 80 contour.
  • Phasing: data centers and turbines in phases one and two (turbines come online as the data centers are built); phase three is an APS substation in the northeast corner.
  • Opposed: Melissa Parsons (Surprise), Troy Mortensen and Beth Mortensen (Waddell), and April Butler (Waddell, written comments). In favor: Lisa Everet (Surprise). The minutes do not record their reasons.
  • Baldenegro asked whether public suggestions such as taller walls, a berm and trees could be used. Ed Bull said 8-foot block walls along the north and east perimeters are already planned, with landscaping reviewed in the City's design review; setbacks, walls and screening were part of the county approval.
  • Mayor Weiers asked about Luke Air Force Base "issues". Bull said the base's letter set conditions of approval and that within 24 hours the owners confirmed in writing to Luke and the county that every condition would be met.
  • Vice Mayor Malnar and Bull: the nearest land that could become residential is a long distance away; adjacent land is zoned industrial. Turner noted a roughly 5-acre strip of R43 (one acre per residence) along the east edge, carrying a railroad and power lines; Bull said it is not in the development envelope. Turner described it as almost a mile long and 30 feet wide, not realistically developable.
  • Guzman relayed a written comment that a second air permit existed. James Westbrook said an air permit was approved by the Maricopa County Air Quality Department for the power plant (Project Baccara), assuming a combined facility; the data center's own application came later and is under review, with the final permit expected in the first or early second quarter of 2027.
  • Conchas asked if a combined power plant and data center had been done at this scale. Ed Bull did not know and said he would provide the information for the zoning case.

Water (October 13, 2026 workshop)

Conchas asked where Project Eagle would get its water. Sheldon said the facility, west of 115th Avenue, would receive domestic water from a private provider, EPCOR. See Colorado River Water Supply.

Sources

Log

2026-10-13 - City Council Workshop

Conchas asked where Project Eagle would get water; Sheldon said private provider EPCOR.

2026-09-22 - City Council

Public hearing on AN-273. Four residents opposed (one in writing) and one supported. No vote; no action was required.