Chandler Council Unanimously Rejects Controversial AI Data Center After Residents Pack Meeting
Chandler City Council unanimously voted 7-0 on Dec. 11, 2025, to deny rezoning and approvals for Active Infrastructure’s proposed AI data center after hours of public testimony and more than 250 resident emails opposing the plan.
Key takeaways
- Unanimous rejection: The council voted 7-0 on Dec. 11, 2025, to deny rezoning and related approvals for the proposed AI data center — reported by KJZZ.
- Developer and location: Active Infrastructure, based in West Nyack, New York, sought approvals for a large data center along the Price Road corridor — coverage by Fox Business.
- Strong community opposition: More than 250 emails opposed the project; roughly 10 supported it, and a packed council chamber heard four hours of public comment — reported by KJZZ and AZCentral.
- High-profile lobbying: Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema lobbied earlier on behalf of the project but did not attend the Dec. 11 vote — noted by KJZZ and Fox Business.
Key facts at a glance
Council vote: The Chandler City Council voted 7-0 on Dec. 11, 2025, to deny rezoning and related approvals for the proposed AI data center (KJZZ).
Developer: The developer, Active Infrastructure, is based in West Nyack, New York. Local filings sought changes to allow a large data center along the Price Road corridor (Fox Business).
Public input: More than 250 emails opposed the project; roughly 10 supported it. A packed council chamber heard four hours of public comment (KJZZ; AZCentral).
Lobbying: Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, co-chair of the AI Infrastructure Coalition, lobbied for the project in earlier meetings but did not attend the Dec. 11 vote (KJZZ; Fox Business).
Residents turn out, voice strong opposition
A capacity crowd filled the council chamber on Thursday night. People held signs, spoke for and against the project, and cheered when the 7-0 vote was announced. Residents delivered more than four hours of public comment during the meeting.
Many raised similar concerns about jobs, water use, property values and the future character of the Price Road corridor. The majority of speakers urged the council to protect the corridor for companies that create local jobs. The city also reported receiving more than 250 emails opposing the project, compared with about 10 in favor (KJZZ; AZCentral).
“You could feel the room,” one attendee said after the vote.
What the City said — focusing on jobs and the general plan
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke framed the decision around the city’s long-term vision for the Price Road corridor. He said the city wants alternatives to “big, almost-jobless buildings” and seeks employers that create steady, well-paying local jobs.
The Price Road corridor already hosts major employers such as Intel and Wells Fargo, and the city’s voter-approved general plan prioritizes “high-value” companies that add local employment. Council members repeatedly pointed to that plan when justifying the rejection, saying the proposal would conflict with the corridor’s intended use (KJZZ; AZCentral).
The developer and the proposal
Active Infrastructure, headquartered in West Nyack, New York, proposed a large AI data center for a parcel along Chandler’s Price Road corridor. The company sought a development plan, rezoning and related agreements to build and operate the facility.
Data centers typically require large buildings, high power and water use, and significant cooling infrastructure. The council’s denial means Active Infrastructure’s current plan cannot move forward in that location (Fox Business; YourValley).
There are no published details yet about Active Infrastructure’s next steps or any planned legal responses. Local reporting indicates Chandler’s vote makes the city one of the first in Arizona to reject an AI data center after local opposition intensified (AZCentral).
Kyrsten Sinema’s role and absence at the final vote
Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema took an active role earlier in the process. As co-chair of the AI Infrastructure Coalition, she attended meetings and spoke on behalf of Active Infrastructure, including a Planning and Zoning Commission session on Oct. 15, 2025.
Sinema urged the city to approve the project and warned of potential federal preemption under national AI policy discussions, arguing federal moves could limit local control over siting and regulation. She did not attend the Dec. 11 council meeting; her absence underscored the local, community-driven nature of the decision (KJZZ; Fox Business).
Local concerns: water, jobs, traffic and community character
Opponents raised several practical concerns: significant water and electricity use, limited local job creation, traffic increases, construction noise and the visual impact of massive buildings. Supporters argued the project could bring investment and tax revenue, but most public speakers and council members said the benefits did not outweigh the costs for the Price Road corridor (KJZZ; AZCentral).
How Chandler’s decision fits a wider trend
Chandler’s move comes amid growing scrutiny of AI infrastructure projects across the country. Cities and counties are debating how to balance economic development with water use, energy demand, and long-term job creation. Chandler’s unanimous vote highlights the power of local planning rules and public input in shaping outcomes for large industrial projects (AZCentral).
Local officials elsewhere have faced similar fights as data center proposals seek space near highways, industrial parks and transmission lines. Whether other Arizona cities follow Chandler’s lead remains to be seen.
What happens next for the site and the developer
With the council’s denial, Active Infrastructure cannot proceed with the proposed plan along Price Road without new approvals. The company could pursue alternative sites, revise plans to better match the corridor’s general plan, or appeal the decision through legal channels. Local reporting has not yet identified any filed appeals or alternate proposals (YourValley; KJZZ).
City leaders said they intend to continue marketing the corridor to employers that align with the voter-approved vision — businesses that bring local jobs and long-term economic growth. Council members emphasized adherence to the general plan as a guide for future development decisions (KJZZ).
Implications for the United States
- Economic development vs. local control: Chandler’s vote underscores the tug-of-war between local land-use authority and demands for new industrial projects; cities prioritizing job-creating uses may draw different investment than those more open to data centers.
- Water and energy policy: Data centers can strain local water and power systems; communities in arid regions are weighing whether these facilities fit long-term resource plans.
- Politics and lobbying: Kyrsten Sinema’s involvement highlights how national figures can shape local debates and raises questions about federal preemption as national AI policy evolves.
- Precedent: As one of the first Arizona cities to reject an AI data center after organized opposition, Chandler may serve as a model for municipalities asserting local plans and responding to constituent concerns.
Next steps for residents and officials
City staff and council members said they will continue outreach to employers who fit the city’s vision for the Price Road corridor. Residents who opposed the project said they will stay engaged with planning efforts to ensure future proposals match the community’s goals. No legal filings or new plans from Active Infrastructure had been reported as of Dec. 12, 2025 (KJZZ; YourValley).
Sources
Reporting for this story drew on coverage by KJZZ, AZCentral, Fox Business and YourValley.
