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Neighbor seeks grading and landscaping after large transformer placed in easement near Hawks Lake
Summary
A resident near Hawks Lake asked the council for help after a large utility transformer was installed in the easement directly in front of a residence; the resident requested grading and landscaping to reduce the visual impact and said coordination details had not been communicated during installation.
Alexander Melton addressed the Edina City Council Sept. 2 to request city assistance after a large electrical transformer was installed in the easement directly in front of his home on Wycliffe Road, adjacent to Hawks Lake. Melton said he and neighbors support the lift‑station and three‑phase power upgrade that required the transformer, but said the installed transformer is larger than any they have seen in front of residences and that dimensions were not communicated during coordination.
Melton told council the pad was provided during preinstallation coordination but the transformer unit sitting atop it rose “significantly above the grade of the original power feed hole” after fill and grading. He asked the city to help design and implement grading to lower the perceived height of the transformer and to add landscaping to reduce visual impact for the adjoining neighborhood. Melton said the interior view from his dining room and front door is obstructed and provided photos during his comments.
City staff acknowledged the installation and said coordination occurred with the utility (Xcel Energy). The city electrical supervisor had provided the pad details during coordination but did not communicate the transformer’s full dimensions, Melton said. The project is intended to provide a dedicated three‑phase feed to Hawks Lake lift station and 9 Mile Creek watershed infrastructure; Melton said he and neighbors are broadly supportive of the infrastructure improvements but seek mitigation for the residential visual impact.
Council and staff said they would bring the concern to the relevant utility coordinator and study grading and landscaping options to reduce the visible height and buffer the transformer. The resident asked the city to “design and implement appropriate grading to lower the visual perceived height of the transformer and landscaping to address visual impact.” Staff did not set a fixed deadline in the meeting; follow‑up was assigned to the city electrical supervisor and planning/engineering staff to work with Xcel and the homeowner.
