Mesa planning board approves rezoning for NTT data center with drought-tolerant landscaping condition

The City of Mesa Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously May 13 to approve a rezoning, council use permit and major site-plan modification to allow construction of an approximately 2,257,581-square-foot NTT data center on roughly 170± acres at the northeast corner of East Pecos Road and South Chrisman Road.

Planning staff presented an added condition — numbered Condition 10 — that requires the applicant, prior to submitting for a building permit, to “submit to the planning director a revised landscape plan using drought-tolerant plants recommended by the Arizona Nursery Association or the Arizona Department of Water Resources and [to] more evenly distribute plant material on Pecos Road as determined by the planning director.” The board discussed and accepted that language before voting.

The board opened the public comment period and reported two cards in favor of the project; both indicated they did not need to speak. After discussion, the chair moved to approve the application with the added Condition 10. The motion passed unanimously with all four members present voting yes.

Staff also told the board that two items related to the San Antonio Tire Shop (GPA26-00111 and a related rezoning/site plan) would be continued to the June 10, 2026 Planning and Zoning meeting at staff’s recommendation.

The approval allows the project to proceed toward building-permit submittal, subject to the added landscape requirement and any subsequent conditions imposed during permitting. The planning director will have discretion to determine final plant selection and spacing along Pecos Road as specified in Condition 10.