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Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Hizzoner Mesa Mayor John Giles: U.S. Conference of Mayors 2019 in Waikiki, Hawaii

Aloha!
From all appearances just a couple of years ago at a Zumba class here in Mesa, John Giles was just getting his groove on getting in shape for this year's conference that concluded yesterday.
In his absence, yesterday's Mesa City Council Study Session was presided over by Vice-Mayor Mark Freeman after local breaking news stories over a new big confidential deal for a proposed Google Data Center was discussed in two closed-door Executive Sessions - one last week and another one yesterday.
Though negotiations to all accounts have been ongoing for about a year, the details were not disclosed in the entire development process with the "Code Name: Red Hawk".

Here a snippit from Waikiki
Resolutions Preview:
Mayors Consider Issues Related to Trade and Immigration
https://www.usmayors.org/2019/06/26
"Across the country, mayors tackle the greatest challenges facing our nation every day. At the United States Conference of Mayors’ 87th Annual Meeting this week in Honolulu, they’ll meet to discuss those challenges, including trade and the continued crisis at the border. . . They will share ideas with one another and look for opportunities to learn from each other’s approaches. . . And while the Congress continues to debate the USMCA, mayors will discuss what impact signing it, or failing to do so, will have on cities across the country. There are two resolutions on this issue, one by Mesa Mayor John Giles and the other by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. . ."

Sting - Every Breath you Take

Why Did Microsoft Put a Data Center Underwater?

Launched in 2014 . . .all with renewable energy, using the ambient water temperature for cooling.

Published on Jul 1, 2019

Computer company, Microsoft, is taking servers where they've never been before: under the sea. If this innovative approach to data storage is successful, this might just be the future of "cloud computing."
Here’s How We Could Store Data on a Single Atomhttps://youtu.be/7FYmHy85A7I
Read More:
Microsoft sinks data centre off Orkneyhttps://www.bbc.com/news/technology-4...
"If Project Natick proves a success, Microsoft envisages sinking groups of five of these cylinders and being able to deploy a data centre offshore in 90 days, whereas it could take years on land."
Want an Energy-Efficient Data Center? Build It Underwaterhttps://spectrum.ieee.org/computing/h...
"Sure, cooling computers with seawater would lower the air-conditioning bill and could improve operations in other ways, too, but submerging a data center comes with some obvious costs and inconveniences."
How to stop data centres from gobbling up the world’s electricityhttps://www.nature.com/articles/d4158...
"Already, data centres use an estimated 200 terawatt hours (TWh) each year. That is more than the national energy consumption of some countries, including Iran."
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Mesa's BIG LEAGUE Dreams: Desperate To Attract Jobs + People

According to this report a few days ago in Axios here's What's happening:
"Across the country, mayors are issuing open calls for smart city tech. One reason, as we've reported, is that second-tier cities are desperate to attract jobs and people — and boost their flagging and sometimes dire circumstances.
The effort is to beat a trend in which the best talent and money are going to so-called "superstar cities."
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Did you know Mesa is a smart city? What...

- City of Mesa, Arizona ...

https://www.facebook.com/CityofMesa/...mesa...smart-city.../339673003384882/

▶ 1:26

5 days ago

Did you know Mesa is a smart city?

What does that mean?

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Giants like Alphabet, GE and Cisco are building tech that they claim can transform a city stuck in the past into a futuristic paradise, but their early projects have resulted in unelected companies making what typically are City Hall decisions. . ."
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The trouble with smart cities
by Erica PandeyMarch 21, 2019| updated June 28, 2019
That all sounds very familiar here in Mesa, except for one thing - or more - from the article, just in the first batch of take-a-ways: BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
> To get there, they are loosening regulations and inviting companies to use their streets as living labs for nascent technologies. > They are letting the companies into every part of city operations, from managing citizens' data to building affordable housing.

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But the results so far are mixed:

Cities like Las Vegas have made development a free-for-all of Big Tech, and ended up with urban hodge-podge and no coherent look.
Others, like Toronto, have handed over responsibility to a single tech company and are finding their decision-making power usurped.
Such cities are giving "an incredible amount of control [to] tech companies ... that certainly don't have the same general interest as what their governments should be focused on," says Ben Green, a fellow at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center.

> Here in Mesa we don't see the public even thinking about serious things: fast one-minute

BLOGGER NOTE:
"Tech is fostering civic engagement—by letting citizens suggest their own development policies. . ."
In the matter of the Google Data Center THERE WAS NO CITIZEN PARTICIPATION - the project was kept under-wraps cloaked in Code Name The Red Hawk Project
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San Diego faced a public backlash when it was revealed that a network of smart streetlights installed by GE had cameras affixed that police were using to watch citizens.
The city said there is no image recognition capability in the streetlights. "Nevertheless, once the infrastructure for the surveillance state has been built, it's very difficult to prevent government from eventually accessing it irresponsibly, or worse, oppressively," says Dave Maass of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Kansas City, Missouri is looking for a single company to install “a fully integrated suite of sensors, networks, and data and analytics platforms." Now, it's sifting through 15 proposals, says Chief Innovation Officer Bob Bennett.

> The other side:

There are a number of cities that have shown skepticism from the start, says Karen Lightman of Carnegie Mellon's Smart Cities Institute.

Boston has a public manifesto setting the terms of technology pilots. "It's a little snarky, like, 'We don't care that you have the best thing since sliced bread. Show us the value,'" Lightman says.
Columbus, which recently won a federal smart cities grant, identified a problem before throwing technology at it, she says.

The city used the funds for a self-driving shuttle that takes mothers-to-be from Columbus' poorest neighborhoods to hospitals for prenatal care.

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1 big thing: Privacy unravels. . . Somebody's going to benefit from all that information
Google, Microsoft, Panasonic, Siemens, IBM, Oracle, Cisco, Verizon and AT&T are all pitching their services to cities
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The race to become "smart cities"
by Kim Hart 3 Sept 2018
Link > https://www.axios.com/the-smart-city-race
Cities are increasingly marketing themselves as "smart cities" — hyper-connected, sensor-equipped communities — in their latest economic development pitch to attract workers and businesses.
> "Smart city" is the buzzword adopted by tech firms and mayors to describe areas that mash together fast internet, sensors and automation to power "smart" streetlights, energy meters, water monitors and transportation systems.

If marketing materials are to be believed, smart cities will use gigabit-speed internet and future 5G networks to transform how citizens interact with schools, utilities, their neighbors and and local governments.
For example, sensors at downtown intersections can monitor pedestrian traffic and direct stop lights when to turn red, while dimming street lights and monitoring weather and rush-hour patterns to send notifications to commuters and public transit drivers.

> The reality: Making cities smarter is more of a business model challenge than a technological one, . . .
> The other side: Cities are being pitched on a range of newfangled technologies and apps intended to provide free Wi-Fi at bus shelters, smart parking systems, or sensors to clear intersections faster. But there are privacy and security questions around who gets access to data generated by those tools, . .

It's also a question of priorities, such as balancing spending on social issues or technologies.

"It feels like a lot of smart-city technology is nice to have, but not necessarily vital to the continuance of city processes. When faced with homelessness, immigration, major critical infrastructure issues — those things take priority over making life easier for people trying to park, for example."

— Ginger Ambruster, City of Seattle
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RESOURCES: SMART CITIES

From getting a license to paying taxes, we routinely give cities granular data on who we are, where we live, what we do and how much we earn.

Why it matters: “City Hall has a treasure trove of information about you,” says Ann Cavoukian, a privacy expert at Ryerson University. “You have no choice but to give them information.”

For example: New York's LinkNYC WiFi hotspots, which also have cameras, can analyze images of people passing by particular kiosks. Over time, images could be linked to their identity and other sensitive data, like credit scores.

Theoretically, that information could then be used to place ads for payday loans around that kiosk, says Katya Abazajian, Open Cities director at the Sunlight Foundation.

If predictions turn out to be true, 5G-connected devices (dashcams, bikes, umbrellas, clothing, keys) and city infrastructure (streetlights, stop signs, utility lines) equipped with elaborate sensor networks will be able to pinpoint your real-time location.

But the explosion of data and always-connected items will lead to new and unpredictable applications.
For example, sensors could track how frequently you go to the gym or cameras could see how often you run red lights — data that insurance companies might be interested in, Abazajian said.

The bottom line: "As tech companies get more and more consent from people to collect data on how they live their lives, there are going to be more unexpected uses of that data to shape your access to consumer goods or any services," says Abazajian.

"It's all about who is sharing the data with whom. And we just don't know that right now."

Go deeper:

Deep Dive: Smart Cities

> "Scooter fleets are popping up across the country, and cities want access to rider data in exchange for letting them operate . . ."https://www.axios.com
The cities no one can afford to live

"Around the world, people are streaming into big cities. But owning a home in these places is out of reach for many Americans — and where most end up renting, the idea of a quick zip to work is a cruel joke.

By the numbers: This is a global issue. A recent survey by Demographia, a firm that researches cities, looked at 309 metros in 8 countries. Of these, just 9 housing markets (all in the U.S.) were judged to be "affordable . . . "

Sunday, June 30, 2019

The City of Mesa's "Sales-Pitch" To Lure Google BIG DATA CENTER Here with Tax Incentives

So far, the public has known few details
Scroll down to see new OZone Red Hawk Employment Opportunity District
Southeast Mesa District 6
There are Approved Minutes available that will take you a few minutes to take a look at - just enough extracted here for your interest. . .
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Bill Jabjiniak, the city's Director of the Office of Economic Development two days ago

Video > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pld4TofrWP8

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Back to March 20, 2019 when some thing was "not known at this time"
> 1 Phasing
The RHEOD is designed to accommodate the construction of buildings over time in response to technological advances and market conditions.

Accordingly, the 187-acre property will develop in phases, the timing and size of which are not known at this time.

> 2 This request will establish zoning to guide future development of employment and industrial uses.

APPLICANT: W. Ralph Pew, Pew & Lake, PLC

MULTIPLE OWNERS:

MBR Land I, an Arizona General Partnership
MBR Land I, LLP
B&K Land Investment Co., et al
Morrison Ranch, Inc.

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Existing General Plan Designation and Zoning Classification Relationship to Surrounding Properties
As shown in the graphic below, the site is bound on the north by a
250-foot wide electrical transmission line easement corridor, including multiple 69 kV, 230 kV and 500 kV SRP transmission lines.

Beyond the easement corridor are single-family residential homes.
BLOGGER NOTE: All these data centers use huge amounts of electricity and water.
Please note the adjacent parcels of real estate that are exclusive gated enclaves of Master-Planned Communities, like Eastmark. Likewise note the proximity to the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Area that may raise concerns for residents over flight patterns and noise.

The site is also bound on the east by Sossaman Road, vacant agricultural property and a house of worship, on the south by Elliott Road and agricultural property that is still in Maricopa County and on the west by the RWCD canal and vacant agricultural property. At the far northwest corner of the site is the Gilbert Public Schools transportation operations center.
(Blogger Note: See other location markers)
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Sales Price for the 186 acres?
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SITE CONTEXT NORTH: Existing residential – zoned RS-9-PAD-PAD and an existing Gilbert Public Schools Maintenance and Operations yard – zoned PEP-PAD-PAD

EAST: (across Sossaman Road) Existing Church with sports fields, zoned AG and vacant land – zoned LI and LC

SOUTH: (across Elliot Road) Existing dairy farm, zoned in Maricopa County

WEST: (across East Maricopa Floodway and RWCD Canal) Vacant – zoned RS-43 and existing self-storage facility, zoned LI
> Existing Site Conditions/Topography
The site is presently vacant, having previously been used for agricultural purposes.

It is mostly flat and unremarkable in its topography

Item 4-e: 187 acres
to create the Red Hawk Employment Opportunity Zone
Project Red Hawk
Employment Opportunity District Project Narrative [7 Pages]
Revised February 19, 2019
> Introduction
"Pew & Lake, PLC is pleased to provide this project narrative and related materials to the City of Mesa in support of the proposed Red Hawk Employment Opportunity District (RHEOD).

This Narrative is provided pursuant to Section 11-14-5(B) of the City of Mesa Zoning Ordinance (MZO) and is provided in addition to an RHEOD Development Plan and RHEOD > Development Plan Map.

This document will establish how the proposed RHEOD complies with the purpose, intent and requirements of the City of Mesa 2040 General Plan as well as Chapter 14 of the MZO relating to the Employment Opportunity (EO) District.
Purpose of Request
The applicant is requesting a rezone of the approximately 187-acre property from Light Industrial (LI) and Planned Employment Park (PEP) to an Employment Opportunity (EO) district known as the Red Hawk Employment Opportunity District (RHEOD).

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The purpose of the request is to:
1. Expedite the entitlement processes for the development of this property to better attract high technology users to this site.
2. Establish site planning guidelines to ensure compliance with the City of Mesa General Plan.
3. Establish height limitations on the property to ensure compatibility with the adjacent residentially-zoned property to the north.
4. Establish edge treatments that will ensure compatibility with the adjacent residentially-zoned property to the north.
5. Create a parcel that, through the application of the EO zoning designation, is nearly “shovel ready” and will allow for a nimble development response to advances in technology and changing market conditions.

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> Compliance with Chapter 14: Employment Opportunity District
Section 11-14-2 of The City of Mesa Zoning Ordinance specifies that an Employment Opportunity District shall only be established for an area when the City Council finds that the property meets the following requirements:
1. That the property is located within an area designated Employment and/or Employment Mixed Use Activity in the Mesa General Plan
2. The area is a minimum of 160 contiguous acres.
As noted above, the Red Hawk property is approximately 187 acres and is currently designated in the Mesa 2040 General Plan as Employment Mixed Use Activity District. Accordingly, this property is appropriate for designation as an Employment Opportunity District.
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Amendment Procedure
Amendments to the approved RHEOD will follow the procedures outlined in Section 11-14-9 of the MZO.
Phasing
The RHEOD is designed to accommodate the construction of buildings over time in response to technological advances and market conditions.

Accordingly, the 187-acre property will develop in phases, the timing and size of which are not known at this time.

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HISTORY/RELATED CASES
> February 22, 1990: Annexed to City of Mesa (Ord. #2842) April 2, 1990:

Rezoned from County Rural-43 to City AG
(Case #Z90-009, Ord. #2511)

> October 16, 2006: (adjacent to the north)
City Council approval of a rezoning from AG to R1-6-PADDMP, R1-7-PAD-DMP, R1-9-PAD-DMP and C-1-PAD-DMP and the establishment of the Desert Place at Morrison Ranch (Residential) Development Master Plan.
(Case #Z06-066, Ord. #4602)

> November 20, 2006:
City Council approval of a rezoning from AG to PEP-PAD-DMP and LI-PAD-DMP and the establishment of the Desert Place at Morrison Ranch (Industrial) Development Master Plan. (Case #Z06-083, Ord. #4633)

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NEIGHBORHOOD PARTICIPATION:

The applicant has completed a Citizen Participation Process, which included mailed letters to property owners within 1,000’ of the site, as well as HOAs and registered neighborhoods within a mile of the site.

The applicant also held a neighborhood meeting on February 27, 2019 at Paloma Community Church located adjacent (east) to the site and across Sossaman Road.
As of writing this report, staff has not been contacted by any residents or property owners in the area to express support or opposition to the request.

The applicant will be providing an updated Citizen Participation Report prior to the March 19, 2019 Study Session. Staff will provide an update of the citizen participation plan during the scheduled study session.

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> Location
The 187-acre, Project Red Hawk site is located at the northwest corner of Elliot and Sossaman Roads in the City of Mesa.
The property is identified by Maricopa County Assessor’s Parcel numbers: 304-05-018K, 304-05-018L, 304-05-019F, 304-05-019G, 304-05-019K, 304-05-020X, 304-05-022G and 304-05-022K, and is shown in the graphic below.
> Existing General Plan Designation and Zoning Classification
Relationship to Surrounding Properties
As shown in the graphic below, the site is bound on the north by a

250-foot wide electrical transmission line easement corridor, including multiple 69 kV, 230 kV and 500 kV SRP transmission lines.
Beyond the easement corridor are single-family residential homes.
The site is also bound on the east by Sossaman Road, vacant agricultural property and a house of worship, on the south by Elliott Road and agricultural property that is still in Maricopa County and on the west by the RWCD canal and vacant agricultural property.
At the far northwest corner of the site is the Gilbert Public Schools transportation operations center.
SITE CONTEXT NORTH: Existing residential – zoned RS-9-PAD-PAD and an existing Gilbert Public Schools Maintenance and Operations yard – zoned PEP-PAD-PAD

EAST: (across Sossaman Road) Existing Church with sports fields, zoned AG and vacant land – zoned LI and LC

SOUTH: (across Elliot Road) Existing dairy farm, zoned in Maricopa County

WEST: (across East Maricopa Floodway and RWCD Canal) Vacant – zoned RS-43 and existing self-storage facility, zoned LI
> Existing Site Conditions/Topography
The site is presently vacant, having previously been used for agricultural purposes.

It is mostly flat and unremarkable in its topography

File #:

PZ 19038

Type:

PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

Planning and Zoning Board - Public Hearing

On agenda:

3/20/2019

Title:

ZON19-00016 District 6. Within the 7100 to 7600 blocks of East Elliot Road (north side) and the 3100 to 3500 blocks of South Sossaman Road (west side). Located north of Elliot Road and west of Sossaman Road

(187± acres).

Rezone from LI-PAD-PAD and PEP-PAD-PAD to EO to create the Red Hawk Employment Opportunity Zone.

This request will establish zoning to guide future development of employment and industrial uses.
APPLICANT: W. Ralph Pew, Pew & Lake, PLC
MULTIPLE OWNERS:

MBR Land I, an Arizona General Partnership
MBR Land I, LLP
B&K Land Investment Co., et al
Morrison Ranch, Inc.

Planner: Lesley Davis
Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions

Attachments:

1. Vicinity Map,
2. Staff Report,
3. Narrative,
4. Development Plan,
5. Citizen Participation Plan,
6. Citizen Participation Report

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CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. Compliance with the EO development plan dated March 12, 2019.
2. Compliance with all City development codes and regulations, except as modified by the Development Plan.
3. Compliance with all requirements of the Subdivision Regulations.
4. Compliance with all requirements of the Design Review.
5. Due to the proximity to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, any proposed permanent or temporary structure is subject to an FAA filing for review in conformance with CFR Title 14 Part 77 (Form 7460) to determine any effect to navigable airspace and air navigation facilities.

If required, an FAA determination notice of no hazard to air navigation shall be provided prior to building permit issuance.

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