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Planning commission approves Stonewall Creek Business Park substation; applicant pledges reforestation, pollinator plantings
Summary
The commission voted 9-0 to recommend approval of a substation at Stonewall Creek Business Park, where the applicant committed to reforestation, pollinator meadows and invasive-species management to offset an impact to existing tree-conservation area.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously (9-0) on May 27 to approve the Stonewall Creek Business Park substation applications, finding the proposal consistent with the 2019 General Plan and compatible with existing industrial uses and an overhead high-voltage transmission corridor.
What the application does: The proposal (ZCPA/CMPT/SPEX) would authorize a utility substation on a 50.21-acre portion of an approximately 90-acre business park. Applicant materials and staff analysis show the substation location is proximate to existing industrial uses and an overhead transmission corridor; the site includes an existing laydown/parking area where the substation is proposed.
Mitigation commitments: The applicant committed to reforesting roughly 1.6 acres to replace an impacted 1.59-acre tree-conservation area and to plant pollinator-meadow seed mixes across approximately five acres in lieu of buffering on the eastern portion of the site. The applicant also committed to multi-year invasive-species control on existing TCAs. Staff found those measures consistent with the 2019 General Plan and recommended approval.
Applicant presentation: Molly Novotny (Curata Partners, representing TA Realty) said the substation is intended to serve the existing data center campus and that the proposed planting and reforestation measures would increase overall tree-save across the campus compared with earlier commitments. Novotny said the substation location was chosen in part because existing overhead transmission lines are adjacent to the parcel and alternative siting would require greater tree removal.
Motion and outcome: Commissioner Barnes moved and Commissioner Frank seconded a motion to recommend approval. The motion carried 9-0.
Quote: “In lieu of taking away that 1.59 acres of trees, we’re replanting — we’re doing reforestation of 1.6 acres and adding pollinator plantings,” the applicant’s representative said, summarizing commitments the applicant made to offset tree-conservation impacts.
What’s next: Staff will forward the commission recommendation and conditions to the Board of Supervisors for final action; the applicant will proceed to site-plan steps consistent with the approved conditions and reforestation commitments.
