Planning Commission Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Planning Commission Work Session convened on July 16, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. CT in the Phoenix Building 3rd floor Conference Room. The work session was informational in nature, with no votes taken and no public comments heard. The Commission considered five agenda items: Placemaking, Downtown Area Master Plan Update, Data Center Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment, Other Business, and Adjournment. All items were presented for informational purposes only.

Attendance

The following commissioners were present at the July 16, 2026 Commission meeting:

• Hannah Crepps
• Boyd O. Sewe
• Daniel Crum
• Hal Bailey

No commissioners were absent or arrived late.

Contested Items

The Commission meeting on July 16, 2026 included discussion of two contested items:

Downtown Area Master Plan

The Downtown Area Master Plan generated significant community opposition, particularly regarding which neighborhoods would be included in the plan. Residents of the William Wells Brown neighborhood expressed substantial concerns about the proposal. Their primary worry centered on the potential for gentrification and displacement resulting from the plan's implementation.

Data Center Zoning Ordinance

The Data Center Zoning Ordinance prompted heated discussion among Commission members and participants. The debate focused on two main areas of concern: the environmental impacts of data centers and the appropriate size limitations that should be imposed on such facilities. Specific concerns raised included the effects on power consumption, water usage, and noise generation from data center operations.

Placemaking

Hannah Crepps presented on the concept of placemaking 0:14, focusing on the importance of community involvement in creating vibrant, welcoming spaces. The presentation was informational in nature.

Key Points

The discussion emphasized how placemaking relies on active community participation to develop spaces that are both functional and inviting to residents and visitors.

Outcome

The agenda item concluded as an informational presentation with no formal action taken.

Downtown Area Master Plan Update

Boyd O. Sewe presented the Downtown Area Master Plan to the Commission, with participation from Hal Bailey. The presentation focused on community engagement efforts and key recommendations for future development in the downtown area 26:21.

The presentation was informational in nature, providing the Commission with an overview of the master plan's development process and proposed direction for downtown growth and revitalization. The plan incorporated input gathered through community engagement activities, reflecting stakeholder perspectives on downtown priorities and development goals.

Key recommendations from the master plan were highlighted during the presentation, though specific details of those recommendations were not documented in the meeting record. The presentation served to inform Commission members of the planning work completed and the community input that shaped the plan's direction.

This agenda item concluded as an informational presentation without a formal vote or decision required at this time.

Data Center Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment

Daniel Crum presented a proposed zoning ordinance text amendment addressing data centers. The discussion focused on size limitations and environmental impacts associated with data center development.

Key Discussion Points:

• Size limitations for data center facilities
• Environmental impact considerations

Outcome:

The item was presented for informational purposes. No formal action was taken at this time.

Other Business

During the Other Business section of the meeting, the Commission engaged in general discussion on various topics including public engagement and future planning sessions. This agenda item served an informational purpose and allowed for broader conversation beyond the structured items on the agenda.

No specific transcript timestamp is available for this portion of the meeting.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned.