Council approves special use permit for Encore electrical substation at Old Denton Road

The City Council approved a special use permit (Case PLSUP2025‑044) on May 20, 2025 to allow Encore to construct an electrical substation on a 9.11‑acre site at the southeast corner of King Arthur Boulevard and Old Denton Road.

Lawrence Shapiro of Development Services described the site and notification process; staff said the proposed equipment would occupy the southern portion of the tract and that the project is adjacent to single‑family neighborhoods. Shapiro said staff and applicant negotiated mitigation measures including an 8‑foot masonry perimeter wall around equipment areas, preservation of trees on the southeast portion of the property, and additional landscaping between Old Denton Road and the substation perimeter fence. The wall will include a gated maintenance access point.

Encore representative Ashley Miller explained the substation’s functional need: nearby substations are nearing capacity and the new station will relieve load growth. "Both of those existing stations are just at about capacity," Miller told council, explaining the new station is needed to absorb increasing electrical demand.

Council and staff discussed the wall’s primary purpose (security and buffering) and public notification. Councilmember Klein asked whether neighbors had been notified beyond the 200‑foot statutory notice; staff confirmed mailed notices were sent to owners within 200 feet and the applicant’s area manager fields additional customer questions.

Mayor Pro Tem Fleming made the motion to approve the SUP, seconded by Councilmember Palomo; the council voted unanimously with one member absent. Conditions described in staff materials — including right‑of‑way dedications and landscaping requirements — remain part of the approval package.