The commission rejected a motion to deny the rezoning request, then approved a motion recommending approval with 11 conditions outlined in a city staff report. Commissioner Hooper voted against both motions, citing concerns about Arizona’s water cuts. The commission’s action is advisory; the council will make the final decision.

Planned for 160 acres, the project includes three one-story data center buildings totaling just over 1 million square feet, a natural gas power plant known as Project Baccara and an Arizona Public Service substation. A developer’s attorney described it as an investment of more than $10 billion and said construction could start this year, with development taking about five years.

Water availability emerged as a central question at the hearing. A commissioner noted that the project materials did not include a water availability study. City staff said the site is within EPCOR’s water and sewer service area and that EPCOR would continue as the provider after annexation into Glendale. The developer’s attorney said the project’s water supply or credits are still being finalized. He said a closed-loop cooling system would use about one-quarter of the water historically used on the farmland.

Residents from Glendale, Surprise and nearby unincorporated areas attended the hearing. Opponents said they had collected about 11,000 signatures against the project. A Project Baccara representative said the nearest homes are about 0.4 miles from the closest data center building.

Public comments raised concerns about noise, air quality, 18 gas turbines, fuel storage, fire protection and the development’s proximity to Luke. A June 30 letter from the base said the project would be compatible only if it met specified conditions related to pilot visibility, air quality, and fire and explosion risks.

Some residents urged commissioners to require greater setbacks, earthen berms, more landscaping and written confirmation that the project meets the base’s conditions. Others asked the city to pause the process for further study. The developer’s attorney said the plan would comply with Luke’s requirements and included walls, landscaping and setbacks intended to address concerns. He said the site would have 450,000 gallons of propane in underground tanks for backup fuel, but would not store natural gas, which would arrive by pipeline.

Vice Chair Cole, who made the motion to recommend approval, said the commission’s role was to determine whether the proposal complied with city law, the general plan and zoning rules. Several commissioners said they hoped the City Council would consider additional conditions before acting.