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Waco council approves special permit for Encore Electric substation in Scott Park Lake neighborhood
Summary
The Waco City Council unanimously approved a special permit allowing Encore Electric Delivery Company LLC to expand and rebuild an electrical substation adjacent to an existing site at Scott Park Lake, after staff said the existing equipment is nearing capacity.
The Waco City Council on April 15 approved a resolution granting a special permit to Encore Electric Delivery Company LLC to build an electrical substation on an adjacent lot at 3821 North 20 Fifth Street, in the Scott Park Lake addition.
The permit, requested for property described as Lots 9 through 12, Block 13 of the Scott Park Lake addition, was recommended for approval by the Plan Commission by a 10-0 vote, and council members voted to pass the measure unanimously after a brief public hearing.
Director Peters presented the request to council, saying the application included special provisions and conditions and that plan commission found the use consistent with the comprehensive plan and Chapter 28 (zoning) of the City of Waco Code of Ordinances. Peters told council the proposal included steps to reduce neighborhood impacts, including an eight-foot masonry screen wall and continued landscaping.
Seth Sampson, representing Encore, said the existing on-site station is "at capacity," and loading studies show increased winter demand will make upgraded facilities necessary. "We're proposing to decommission the existing sub, expand into the adjacent lot, provide a masonry, 8 foot masonry screen wall, and continue the landscaping that exists on the station today," Sampson said.
During questions, Sampson said the replacement was intended to keep the station comfortably within design limits: "it wouldn't lose power necessarily," he said, but the company prefers to replace older stations before they near nameplate load limits.
With no members of the public opposing the request, the council moved and seconded approval and then voted in favor. City Secretary Spikes conducted a roll call; council recorded unanimous support and the motion passed.
Council and staff did not attach additional conditions beyond those noted in the Plan Commission recommendation. No timeline for construction was specified during the hearing.
The council then proceeded to the next agenda item.
