Council approves annexation and conditional use permit for Idaho Power substation with irrigation and timing conditions

Meridian City Council on July 22 approved annexation of 2.69 acres and a conditional use permit for Idaho Power’s planned McDermott substation at the southwest corner of McMillan Road and Owyhee Storm Avenue, with council‑directed conditions that require hookup to city water for interim landscape irrigation and extend the CUP time frame from two to five years.

Planning staff recommended approval of annexation to R‑15 zoning and a conditional use permit for a major public utility (the substation) but opposed Idaho Power’s request to defer required landscape planting and pressurized irrigation until nearby Fields District development installs water and infrastructure. Linda Ritter, planning staff, told council the site will include “up to two transformers, two breakers, two metal‑clad structures, one small control building and one transmission dead end structure” and that the…