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 substation yard will be gravel for safe operation of the ground grid system. The applicant requested a waiver to postpone landscape installation, citing lack of immediate pressurized irrigation availability.

David Hazel of Idaho Power said the company planned the substation to relieve load on the Canada (Nampa) and 10‑Mile (Meridian) substations and to serve anticipated growth. Hazel asked the council to extend the CUP to five years to allow schedule flexibility if equipment or permitting delayed construction. Idaho Power also asked to defer landscaping until pressurized irrigation from adjacent development is available; the applicant said city water could be used temporarily but preferred to wait for a final, pressurized irrigation hookup.

Council members and staff discussed enforcement mechanisms and alternatives to a straight deferral. City staff said the city had previously accepted surety bonds for landscaping on other projects but warned that bonds can remain unexecuted if the work is not completed by the bonded party. Councilman Taylor suggested that a surety or similar guarantee would give the city assurance the landscaping and irrigation would be completed; Idaho Power said it was amenable to discussing a surety with staff.

Given staff concerns about leaving the required buffer vegetation unplanted for an indefinite period, the council added conditions and approved the annexation and CUP with modifications: the CUP time frame was extended from two to five years, and the company must hook up to city water for irrigation if the project proceeds before pressurized irrigation is available. Councilman Taylor moved approval with the additional conditions; council voted unanimously.

Clarifying details from staff and the applicant: the site is about 2.69 acres; the applicant proposes an 8‑foot precast concrete wall along McMillan Road and Owyhee Storm Avenue and a 30‑foot landscape buffer on the west and south property lines; the yard will be gravel and no vehicle parking is proposed inside the substation fence; staff indicated a 12‑inch city water line exists to Owyhee Storm Avenue and public works offered a five‑year temporary water agreement as an option for irrigation if the council allowed a deferral. City staff did not support a blanket deferral without security or time limits.

Ending: The council’s approval clears Idaho Power to pursue the annexation and begin coordination on final site design, subject to the council’s conditions requiring city water hookup for interim irrigation and a five‑year CUP timeframe; any further modifications to the site design will be handled through required zoning compliance and building‑permit reviews.