TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Jodi Phelps - Assistant City Manager
Dr. Gerald Newton, AICP - Development Services Director
Jennifer C. Baptiste - Planning & Zoning Division Manager
FROM: Craig Harmon, CZO - Senior Planner
DATE: June 8, 2026
RE:Title
TA26-01: Request to set a public hearing for the proposed Amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Regarding Telecommunications and Data Storage Facilities (Data Centers)
Title
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
• Goal 1: Safe & Secure City
• Goal 2: Responsive City Government
• Goal 3: City Invested in Today & Tomorrow
• Goal 4: City will be Highly Desirable Place to Live Work & Play
• Goal 5: City will be Financially Sound
• Goal 6: City with Collaborative Citizen & Business Engagement
Executive Summary:
This item stems from a Council Member Agenda Item Request for a legislative public hearing to consider proposed amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance regarding Telecommunications and Data Storage Facilities, commonly referred to as data centers.
The item was brought forward by Council Member Hondros at the Council’s June 1, 2026 Work Session. At that meeting, City Council voted to bring the proposed text amendment back for consideration at a legislative public hearing. Previously the text amendment was on the Council’s April 13, 2026 agenda as item 9.01, TA26-01.
The purpose of this agenda item is to obtain a consensus vote from City Council to set the date for the legislative public hearing.
Background:
TA26-01 was brought before City Council on April 13, 2026, to address a gap in the Unified Development Ordinance, which currently does not define “data center” as a distinct and enforceable land use. As a result, staff must classify data centers on a case-by-case basis, which can lead to inconsistent entitlements, ambiguous review standards, and limited post-occupancy enforcement.
The proposed amendments would define the use, establish a transparent entitlement process, and introduce measurable standards for common off-site impacts, including equipment yards, generator testing noise and timing, utility demand, and on-site power generation.
Issues/Analysis:
Budget Impact:
None
Options:
1. Set the Legislative Public Hearing Date
City Council may vote to set a legislative public hearing date to consider proposed amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance regarding Telecommunications and Data Storage Facilities, commonly referred to as data centers.
2. Do Not Set the Legislative Public Hearing Date
City Council may vote not to set a legislative public hearing date. If this option is selected, the proposed text amendment would not move forward to a legislative public hearing at this time.
3. Provide Additional Direction to Staff
City Council may provide additional direction to staff regarding the proposed text amendment before setting a legislative public hearing date.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
City Council select from the options above, as has been discussed at the June 1, 2026 Work Session, and direct the Professional Staff to proceed according to the action selected.
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Attachments: