Attachment H - Draft Regulations for Large Scale Data Centers(PDF, 112KB)

DRAFT REDLINE CODE AMENDMENT LARGE-SCALE DATA 
CENTERS 
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ARTICLE 4: ZONES 
4.9 USE-SPECIFIC STANDARDS 
4.9.11.  UTILIITES USE GROUP 
 
D. Large-Scale Data Centers 
1. The Large-Scale Data Center site shall be located a minimum of:  
a. 1,320 feet (one-quarter mile) from the following residential zones: RX-1, 
RX-2, MH-1, MH-2, R-1, R-2, and R-3. 
b. 1,320 feet (one-quarter mile) from educational or residential uses 
including, nursing homes, residential care facilities, or other uses as 
determined by the Zoning Administrator.  
c. 600 feet from all commercial and office zones.  
2. Sound 
a. Facility must comply with Section 16-31, Excessive Noise, of the Tucson 
Code. 
b. Baseline noise study and noise contour exhibits are required as part of the 
application. The study is to be signed and sealed by an independent 
acoustic engineer and shall address both decibels and frequency. 
c. Sound blocking and screening for generators and other noise-producing 
mechanical equipment are required through solid screened walls or 
rooftop screening. 
d. A noise mitigation plan is required with the submittal of a building permit 
application that demonstrates compliance with the following minimum 
standards: 
1. Installation of high-efficiency diesel generators (Tier IV or newer) 
with low emission profiles, or natural gas / dual fuel generators. 
2. A combination of generators and battery backup, and mandate 
battery use as a first line for grid instability. 
3. Prohibition of load shifting (running generators in non-emergency 
situations instead of relying on an external power source). 
4. Certification that generator operation will occur only during 
emergencies or for preventive maintenance and periodic testing. 
5. Certification that non-emergency maintenance operations will be 
limited to 9-5, Mondays through Fridays.  
6. Upon request by City staff after issuance of a certificate of 
occupancy and commencement of the operation of the data center, 
the operator of a data center must provide an on-site

neighborhood liaison to be available between the hours of 8:00 am 
and 10:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST) each day to respond 
to complaints about noise emanating from the Data Center.  
3. Certification of access to an adequate energy supply and documentation of the 
proposed energy mix, including what renewable energy sources are being 
utilized, is required at the time of application submittal.  
4. Water 
a. Certification of access to an adequate water supply is required at the 
time of application submittal. 
b. Development must comply with the Large Quantity Water Users 
Ordinance, if applicable. If not applicable, the use of potable water for 
data center cooling is prohibited.   
5. Enhanced landscape borders of 20 feet are required. 
6. Lot coverage is limited to 40%. The undeveloped land area shall be dedicated as 
natural open space and reserved in perpetuity. Any land area excluded from 
development and disturbed prior to or during development shall be revegetated 
with native plants.  
7. No minimum parking is required. Applicant shall submit a parking statement 
justifying the amount of parking needed for the use.  
8. Notice for all required neighborhood meetings and public hearings shall be sent to 
all property owners within 2,640 feet (one-half mile) of the boundaries of the 
proposed Large-Scale Data Center and to all neighborhood associations within 
two miles of the boundary.  
 
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ARTICLE 11: DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION 
11.3: DEFINITIONS OF LAND USE GROUPS, CLASSES, AND TYPES 
11.3.11.   UTILITIES USE GROUP  
   The Utilities Use Group includes Land Use Classes that involve the generation, transmission, 
and/or distribution of basic services, such as sanitation, water, gas, and electrical services. 
The following Land Use Classes constitute the Land Use Group.  
 
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F. Large Scale Data Centers  
   A facility, multiple facilities, or portion of a facility on a contiguous site with the same controlling 
ownership interest, and a gross floor area greater than 25,000 square feet or uses greater than 
50 megawatts (MW) of energy, housing networked computer systems and/or telecommunications 
equipment used for remote storage, processing, and distribution of data. Large Scale Data 
Centers are permitted through adoption or major amendment of a Planned Area 
Development (PAD) or a Planned Community Development (PCD) and are subject to Use 
Specific Standards 4.9.11.D.