<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3XhVCw_1GmYMHAl00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3XhVCw_1GmYMHAl00" width="1904" height="1088" ><figcaption>The Glendale City Council voted 6-1 to approve the annexation and rezoning of approximately 160 acres for Project Eagle, a proposed data center and natural gas power generation facility near Luke Air Force Base, despite concerns about water use and public safety. (File Photo)</figcaption></figure>The Glendale City Council approved the annexation and rezoning of approximately 160 acres for Project Eagle — a proposed data center development approximately 1 mile north of Luke Air Force Base. Though the measures ultimately passed, some council members expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on the community.“I am extremely concerned about the health and safety of residents, I am concerned about the potential litigation that we can put ourselves into, I am concerned about water and groundwater and the wells that we heard about today,” Councilmember Lupe Conchas said. “I don’t agree with data centers (or) the power generation plant, but stipulation No. 12 is that this developer and this project will help fund and streamline a fire station out there in the 303 corridor.“I am against this project, I am against everything that it stands for — I’m going to vote yes (...) because of stipulation 12.”During the explanation of his vote, Conchas also alleged that former Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels — who was brought forward to address council members’ questions during the applicant’s presentation — is “being paid by Project Eagle and Project Baccara, on their behalf.” Beyond Conchas’ hesitant vote in favor of the project, Councilmember Leandro Baldenegro cast the lone dissenting vote.Conversely, Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff defended the development — noting the importance of artificial intelligence and the impact of its “rapid adoption.”“Data centers are essential infrastructure,” Tolmachoff said. “They power governments, communities, banks, healthcare, education, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and national defense — this is critical infrastructure for our community and our country.“If this wasn’t needed in this market, they would not be making this investment.”She added that she trusted the expert accounts on the safety of the project and said she would not support the development if she felt it would harm the community — regardless of the potential revenue generation.As previously reported in the Glendale Star, Project Eagle is a proposed data center and power generation development spanning approximately 160 acres near Litchfield Road and Olive Avenue. Plans call for three single-story data centers totaling approximately 1.1 million square feet, along with 18 natural gas-powered turbines standing 72 feet tall and an Arizona Public Service substation.The project is expected to be developed in phases, with turbines coming online as the data centers are constructed. The APS substation is anticipated to be completed in 2030. Additionally, under the proposed development standards, turbines must be set back at least 150 feet from property lines.Project Eagle includes multiple stipulations that establish conditions and requirements for the development — addressing matters such as public safety, emergency services, environmental regulations and site access. Stipulation No. 12, which Conchas emphasized as the sole reason for his support, requires the developer to enter into an agreement with Glendale outlining its financial contribution toward specialized emergency services, including hazardous-materials response. According to project attorney Edwin “Ed” Bull, those contributions are intended to help finance a future fire station on land “provided to the city by the Woolf family.” The developers behind Projects Eagle and Baccara have agreed to contribute financially toward the construction and equipping of the facility, though the extent of their contributions has yet to be determined.“If we are approved tonight, I expect there will be additional discussions with city representatives (...) for what will this station — including hazmat facilities — cost, when will it come online, what’s the interim service to be provided and what will our contribution be,” Bull said.He added that he feels the fire station will help the entire emerging 303 corridor, not solely Project Eagle.During public comment, Waddell resident Hollie Tolmachoff raised concerns about the water use proposed for the data centers.“We were told this project will use significantly less water than the farming operation previously used on the property, but we’re also told the project will use a private water company and construct four additional wells on site,” she said. “If the farms use significantly more water than the existing wells, why does a project claiming substantially lower water (use) need four additional wells?“What are the projected pumping rates for all six wells? Why are the additional wells necessary? What groundwater modeling has been completed — and what happens if nearby resident wells experience declining water levels or reduce production?”According to the project attorney, Project Eagle will use approximately 25% of the previous water use on the property, which was originally used for agriculture. In addition to using EPCOR as its private water company, the project will include four new nonpotable water wells — including one primary and one backup well each, for Projects Eagle and Baccara.Ultimately, both measures passed in 6-1 votes, clearing the way for Project Eagle to move forward through the city’s development review process. Toward the end of the discussions, Vice Mayor Ray Malnar took the opportunity to explain his vote as well.“What happened in this process is that the citizens around this plant made major changes — there were major changes addressed and made better for them,” Malnar said. “It didn’t go the way, perhaps, the residents wanted where it was totally denied, but things changed significantly because of this process.”</div></body>

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The Glendale City Council approved the annexation and rezoning of approximately 160 acres for Project Eagle — a proposed data center development approximately 1 mile north of Luke Air Force Base. Though the measures ultimately passed, some council members expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on the community. “I...

Glendale council approves Project Eagle

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The Glendale City Council approved the annexation and rezoning of approximately 160 acres for Project Eagle — a proposed data center development approximat

Glendale council approves Project Eagle

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