Council approves easement for electrical equipment on Chisholm Trail parkland for utility upgrade

Plano City Council approved a resolution under Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 26, allowing use and temporary taking of 0.192 acres of Chisholm Trail parkland to install electrical equipment for an Encore utility upgrade.

Ron Smith, the city's parks and recreation director, said the public hearing is required under Chapter 26 whenever dedicated parkland is used for a non-park purpose. Chris Blewett of Encore explained the work: the company will replace an existing pole with a 60-foot Class 3 pole and install an automated IntelliRuptor switching device to reduce outage times by allowing switches to communicate and re-route power automatically. Blewett said the equipment upgrade requires a 10-foot cross arm where an 8-foot cross arm exists today; the easement covers the existing utilities and permits the upgrade.

Blewett described the take as a small footprint, approximately 0.192 acres (roughly a 30-foot easement north-south). He said there are no trees at the immediate pole location and that staging and excavation will be confined to the roadway and restored after construction. Encore estimated construction costs at about $81,000 and said work would require about one to two days once begun; Encore planned to start construction in February with completion in March pending permits.

The council voted 7-0 to approve the Chapter 26 resolution authorizing the city manager to execute the necessary documents. Councilman Rick Nawi moved approval; a second was recorded but not named in the hearing record. City staff noted the Parks and Recreation Planning Board recommended approval at its November 12, 2024 meeting.

The resolution includes findings required by Chapter 26 that no feasible and prudent alternative location exists and that reasonable planning to minimize harm has taken place. Staff said the proposed site avoids tree impacts and that any disturbed ground will be restored to its prior condition.