Overview
- The Glendale City Council approved annexation and rezoning of roughly 160 acres Wednesday, clearing the municipal hurdle for Project Eagle (three data center buildings) and Project Baccara (an 18‑turbine natural gas power facility) with an APS substation.
- The city says the development will create about 200 permanent jobs and generate more than $150 million in direct revenue for Glendale over the next 10 years, revenue officials say could support public safety and other services.
- Nearby residents raised repeated concerns during months of hearings about where the site will get water, the project’s noise and air emissions, safety near homes, and transparency about project details.
- The ordinance requires the developer to meet standards from Luke Air Force Base to limit turbine emissions and avoid anything that would affect pilot visibility, and the council attached conditions on appearance, landscaping, traffic mitigation, hazardous‑materials funding, and fire services.
- Construction is expected to begin next month with the first data center building planned to open in 2028, and the approval highlights a wider Arizona trend where rapid data‑center growth is driving new power projects and fresh debate over water and air impacts.