Board approves special exception for Alabama Power substation at 850 Marion Street with landscaping and masonry-wall conditions

The Board of Adjustment granted a special exception allowing Alabama Power to construct a new electrical substation at 850 Marion Street in the Orange Grove area, subject to conditions intended to limit visibility and preserve site character. Alabama Power representative Chester (last name on file with staff) told the board the substation is needed to increase electrical reliability, retire a nearby substation and prepare for future growth. He said the site is mostly tree-covered and that the company plans a decorative masonry wall around the substation and a comprehensive landscaping plan to preserve as much tree cover as feasible. Why it matters: New substations are an infrastructure investment designed to improve electrical reliability; they can raise aesthetic and land-use concerns in neighborhoods. The board approved the special exception with conditions that include a masonry wall, landscaping, retention of sidewalk along Marion Street, and compliance with residential buffer standards where the site abuts residentially zoned properties. Board conditions and process: Planning staff outlined a package of conditions (including minimum setbacks, a masonry or wood fence wall, prohibition on material storage on-site, required landscaped buffers and full compliance with site plan, tree and landscaping requirements). The board moved to approve the special exception with the staff-recommended conditions, and the motion carried. Next steps: Alabama Power will finalize the site plan, comply with engineering and landscaping requirements and submit the plans for administrative review and permitting.