Bullhead City Responds to Data Center Concerns as City Manager Announces Plans for New Ordinance City Manager Toby Cotter says no formal data center plans have been submitted, while officials work to

City Manager Toby Cotter says no formal data center plans have been submitted, while officials work to establish protections for neighborhoods, infrastructure and water resources.

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. — Growing community concerns over the possibility of a large data center development near the Laughlin Ranch neighborhood have prompted Bullhead City officials to address residents’ questions and begin developing a new ordinance that could establish stricter requirements for future projects.

In a public statement released Wednesday, October 7, at 5 p.m., Bullhead City Manager Toby Cotter clarified that no formal plans for a data center have been submitted to the city, despite recent discussions surrounding potential development along Silver Creek Road.

The announcement follows concerns raised by residents during Tuesday evening’s City Council meeting regarding possible impacts on surrounding neighborhoods, infrastructure and quality of life.

City Working on New Data Center Ordinance

According to Cotter, the city is working with its attorney to develop a comprehensive ordinance specifically addressing data center developments.

The proposed regulations could establish requirements involving:

• Water and electricity consumption

• Infrastructure capacity and availability

• Noise restrictions and setbacks from residential neighborhoods

• Economic benefits and fiscal impacts

• Emergency response and public safety planning

• Construction standards and neighborhood protections

Cotter emphasized that the city’s priority is balancing economic development with the interests of residents.

“We will not allow any project to move forward that would have a negative impact on our residents or the character of our city,” Cotter stated.

The proposed ordinance remains under development and has not yet been adopted.

What Is Being Considered Near Silver Creek Road?

According to Cotter, property owners in and around Silver Creek Road previously contacted the city regarding a master plan amendment.

During a public presentation, consultants representing the property owner discussed several possible uses for the land, including manufacturing, housing, mixed-use development and potentially a data center.

The consultants also discussed reducing the number of planned residential units by several thousand, with the stated goals of conserving water and creating additional employment opportunities.

Another proposal involved removing a previously planned golf course from the development area.

However, Cotter stressed that these discussions should not be confused with an official development proposal.

As of October 7, the city has not received conceptual plans, building layouts, site plans or design documents for a specific data center or other development along Silver Creek Road.

Electrical Infrastructure Raises Additional Questions

The city also acknowledged learning that Mohave Electric Cooperative had submitted a large-power-user application to the Arizona Corporation Commission.

According to Cotter, the utility-related process is separate from the city’s authority over zoning and land development.

Any potential developer would need to evaluate whether sufficient electrical infrastructure could support a proposed project before moving forward with local development approvals.

Approval of electrical infrastructure would not, by itself, authorize construction of a data center.

Any future project would still be subject to Bullhead City’s development review requirements.

Residents Will Have Opportunities to Participate

Cotter assured residents that potential projects would undergo the city’s formal review process, including consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.

The proposed data center ordinance is intended to establish additional protections and provide a clearer framework for evaluating projects of this nature.

The broader land-use discussion is also moving through public channels. The city’s October 8 Planning and Zoning Commission agenda includes a public hearing concerning a proposed general plan amendment covering approximately 4,400 acres south of Laughlin Ranch, with reduced residential uses and increased industrial uses under consideration.

While the possibility of new jobs and economic development has been raised, the potential effects on water supplies, power infrastructure and surrounding residential properties remain important questions for residents.

What Happens Next?

At this stage, there is no confirmed data center development approved for construction along Silver Creek Road.

City officials are continuing to evaluate potential land-use changes while developing additional regulations that could govern future data center proposals.

Cotter said residents deserve transparency throughout the process and that the city will continue providing information as formal applications or additional details become available.

For Bullhead City residents, the discussion is likely to continue as officials consider how to encourage future economic development without compromising neighborhood protections and quality of life.

The Mohave Insider will continue following the proposed ordinance, land-use discussions and any formal development applications.

Source: Public statement from Bullhead City Manager Toby Cotter, October 7, 2026, at 5 p.m.; Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Commission public meeting agenda.