Title
Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending the City Code by making a Mesquite Zoning Ordinance text amendment, ZTA No. 2026-01, thereby revising Appendix C (Mesquite Zoning Ordinance), by making additions and deletions to certain sections in Parts 1, 1-A, 3, and 6; and amending the Mesquite City Code by making additions and deletions to certain sections in Chapter 10 (Offenses - Miscellaneous), under Article III (Noise), all for the purpose of revising and establishing regulations related to and for Data Centers and related uses such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (“BESS”), and Accessory Backup Generators, and other general updates related thereto including, but not limited to, use-specific development standards, glare and lighting performance standards, landscape requirements, off-street parking regulations, definitions, and noise standards; and prohibiting Cryptocurrency Mining as a primary use or accessory use in all districts; and revising Appendix D - Comprehensive Fee Schedule for updated fees associated with said amendments.
Body
Staff proposes a comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to establish the City's first regulatory framework governing data centers as a distinct land use. The amendment addresses a significant gap in the current MZO, which does not define or regulate data centers or account for their unique operational characteristics.
The amendment package consists of three exhibits. Exhibit A creates new MZO Section 3.514, establishing all applicable data center standards, including conditional use permit requirements, site and building design, screening, lighting, noise, generator and generator yard standards, water and wastewater, traffic, security, battery energy storage, and decommissioning. Exhibit B contains companion MZO amendments, including updated citywide glare and lighting performance standards (§1.408), updated landscape requirements, a revised Schedule of Permitted Uses, revised development and parking standards, new battery energy storage system regulations (§3.515), new accessory backup generators regulations (§3.516), and updated definitions. Exhibit C amends City Code §10-75 to add use-specific maximum permissible sound levels for data centers and battery energy storage systems.
Under the proposed framework, data centers would be permitted only by Conditional Use Permit in the Industrial (I) zoning district and qualifying Planned Development districts.
Recommended/Desired Action
Following the public hearing, staff recommends approval of the ordinance.
Attachment(s)
Staff Memo
Staff Report - ZTA-2026-01 Data Centers Text Amendment
P&Z Minutes
Ordinance
Drafter
Adam B. Bailey
Head of Department
Adam B. Bailey