Mesa approves 2.2-million-square-foot NT Mesa data center with drought-tolerant landscaping requirement

Mesa Planning and Zoning Board Approves 2.2-Million-Square-Foot NT Mesa Data Center with Drought-Tolerant Landscape Requirement

The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously on May 13, 2026, to approve a major rezoning and site plan modification for NT Mesa's PH10 data center development, a 2,257,581-square-foot facility on 170 acres at the northeast corner of East Pacos Road and South Krisman Road. The approval came with a negotiated landscape sustainability condition requiring use of drought-tolerant plants recommended by the Arizona Nursery Association or Arizona Department of Water Resources.

The meeting, held virtually and in person, drew applicant representatives and members of the public. The board comprised four members: Chair (name not stated in transcript), Vice Chair Peterson, Board Member Pitcher, and Board Member Carpenter. Staff was represented by Cassidy Welsh, planning staff.

Key Speeches

"Prior to the submittal of a building permit, submit to the planning director a revised landscape plan using drought tolerant plants recommended by the Arizona Nursery Association or the Arizona Department of Water Resources and more even distribution of plant material on POS road as determined by the planning director." — Planning Staff, reading Condition 10

The board member referred to as "Troy" (identity unclear from transcript) expressed support for the landscape condition, noting that large data center projects benefit from perimeter landscaping discipline:

"I'm fine with the Yeah, with these types of projects and I'm sure that with the qualifier to be submitted to the planning director, just that landscape key is on the perimeter. Um, so yeah, the POS road there." — Board Member (identified only as "Troy"), discussing landscape implementation

The chair, preparing to vote, acknowledged reliance on staff analysis:

"I'm going to be completely honest, Evan. I'm going to rely on what you said." — Board Chair

Timeline

• Staff presentation and consent agenda: Cassidy Welsh outlined the agenda, placing the NT Mesa item on the consent agenda initially. Blue cards from the applicant triggered removal from consent to allow discussion of a revised condition.

• Condition 10 negotiation: Planning staff presented the revised landscape condition prior to public comment. The applicant and staff had negotiated language requiring drought-tolerant plants and more even distribution on the POS (Planned Open Space) road frontage, to be approved by the planning director before building permit submittal.

• Board discussion: Board members discussed the condition informally. Vice Chair Peterson and Board Member Pitcher both indicated satisfaction. The board member identified as Troy provided detailed support, emphasizing that the landscape qualifier on the perimeter was appropriate for the project type.

• Public comment: Two public comment cards were received; both were in favor of the item. Neither commenter chose to speak, and the chair closed public comment without testimony.

• Vote: The chair made a motion to approve Item 3A (Z125–00626) for NT Mesa, PH10, with the added Condition 10. A second was provided. A voice vote was taken: Vice Chair Peterson, yes; Board Member Pitcher, yes; Board Member Carpenter and Chair, yes. The vote was unanimous (4–0).

Opposition

Not stated in transcript. No speakers opposed the data center rezoning or site plan.

Support

• Number of speakers in favor: Two public comment cards received; both in support of the item.
• Main themes: Not specified; commenters did not take the microphone.
• Applicant support: The applicant (NT Mesa) submitted blue cards requesting to speak, which triggered the board's decision to remove the item from the consent agenda to allow discussion of Condition 10. The applicant's engagement in negotiating the landscape language indicates active support for the approval.

Project Details

• Case number: Z125–00626 (rezoning and site plan); counsel use permit and major site plan modification also included.

• Applicant / developer: NT Mesa.

• Attorney: Not stated in transcript.

• Location / address: Northeast corner of East Pacos Road and South Krisman Road, Mesa, Arizona.

• APN (Assessor's Parcel Number): Not stated in transcript.

• Current zoning → Proposed zoning: Light Industrial with Planned Area Development (PAD) overlay → Light Industrial with new PAD overlay.

• Density / units / square footage: Approximately 2,257,581 square feet of data center facility.

• Land area: 170 ± acres.

• Use type: Data center development; rezoning allows council use permit and major site plan modification.

• Conditions: Six prior conditions plus newly negotiated Condition 10. Condition 10 requires a revised landscape plan using drought-tolerant plants (per Arizona Nursery Association or Arizona Department of Water Resources recommendations) with more even distribution of plant material on the POS road, to be approved by the planning director prior to building permit submittal.

Vote Breakdown

• Final: 4–0 (unanimous approval)
• Yes: Chair, Vice Chair Peterson, Board Member Pitcher, Board Member Carpenter
• No: None
• Abstentions / absences: None (four members present; one member appears to have been virtual)

Outcome & Next Steps

The NT Mesa, PH10 data center rezoning and site plan modification was approved unanimously with Condition 10 incorporated. The applicant may now proceed to building permit phase, at which time a revised landscape plan using drought-tolerant plants and featuring more even distribution of plantings along the POS road frontage must be submitted to and approved by the planning director. No further board action is required for this item unless the applicant requests reconsideration or the planning director requires substantive modifications to the landscape plan that trigger further review.

Controversies & Context

No public controversy was evident in the record. The meeting minutes and public comment cards indicated broad support or indifference to the data center rezoning. The landscape condition reflects broader Arizona water-resource and sustainability policy concerns in an arid climate. The addition of Condition 10 during the meeting—rather than at project inception—suggests that applicant and staff collaborated on the language to address board concerns about perimeter landscaping and drought resilience. The data center use, a utility-scale industrial development on 170 acres, is consistent with Mesa's Light Industrial zoning and represents the type of large-footprint, single-use project that requires council use permits and major site plan review.

The meeting took place during Arizona's increasing focus on water conservation in development. Tying landscape approval to pre-construction review by the planning director ensures professional oversight of plant selection and spacing.

Duration

• Item 3A (NT Mesa, PH10): Approximately 20–25 minutes (inclusive of condition negotiation, discussion, and vote).
• Total meeting: Approximately 30–35 minutes (consent agenda, one pulled item, one continued item, and adjournment).

Other Notable Items

San Antonio Tire Shop Rezoning (Items 4A & 4B, GPA26–00111 and Z25–0000110). A 4-acre minor automobile repair facility (4,150 square feet) at 1609 West University Drive was scheduled for discussion but was placed on the consent agenda for continuance. The applicant had submitted blue cards. Staff recommended continuance to the June 10, 2026, planning and zoning meeting. The continuance was approved unanimously as part of the consent agenda. This item involved a general plan amendment from Urban Residential to Urban Center and a rezoning from Office Commercial to Limited Commercial with a bonus intensity zone overlay and site plan review. No discussion or public comment was recorded for this item.