Switch proposes adding new data center to its Las Vegas complex

Switch, the Las Vegas-based technology-infrastructure company, wants to build a new data center at its mammoth southwest valley campus.

Clark County commissioners — acting as the zoning board — will consider waivers for the project that was proposed on roughly 9 acres near Warm Springs Road and Edmond Street on the campus visible from the 215 Beltway, according to a Wednesday meeting agenda.

The project calls for the construction of warehouses on nearly 57,000 square feet, according to the proposal. The buildings will house the data center, server, power and utility rooms, and shipping, receiving and office spaces.

Switch already operates multiple data centers within its complex.

Data center debate

Data centers consist of warehouses packed with computer technology needed to store their clients’ data. Their construction has exploded in the U.S. as companies try to keep up with immense investments in artificial intelligence technology.

Such facilities have been met with public resistance across the U.S. as opponents cite concerns about their water use and environmental impacts.

Just last month, for example, Boulder City’s Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council reject an 88.5-acre data center proposed by Texas-based Skylar Capital Management. Most of the dozens of residents who showed up at the hours-long meeting spoke against the project.

That City Council will consider the project at a later meeting.

In Northern Nevada, the Reno City Council approved a roughly yearlong pause on AI data center approvals while it explores possible regulations on future developments.

Waivers requested

For the new proposal, the company is requesting multiple waivers to the county’s development standards, including the removal of street trees and parking lot landscaping requirements because their installation would obstruct security cameras and employees, the county said.

The company also wants to raise retaining and screen walls and reduce the height of the access gate, the county said.

Switch instead proposed planting shrubs.

County staff recommended approving those waivers. They did not endorse a proposal to widen a driveway that the company wants to enlarge for access of larger trucks.

Switch did not respond to a message seeking comment.

Switch expansion

Switch has borrowed billions of dollars to fund its growth in recent years. It’s purchased land in Southern Nevada, including more than 300 acres in North Las Vegas’ Apex Industrial Park.

Earlier this year, the company announced plans for a 382-acre data-center campus outside Pittsburgh. Switch has also built facilities in Nevada, Texas, Michigan and Georgia.

The company also has been constructing “AI factories,” smaller data centers that are more densely packed with computing power, in southwest Las Vegas.