Planning commission approves simple subdivision to enable utility substation funded by $2 million grant

The Porterville County Planning and Zoning Commission voted Jan. 29 to approve a simple subdivision that the utility representative said is needed so the utility can purchase land for a planned substation funded by a $2,000,000 grant.

Gary, identified during the meeting as the representative explaining the proposal, told the commission the parcel is part of an 80-acre tract and that Zions Bank holds a lien that must be separated before the sale can close. “We've received $2,000,000 to build that substation,” he said, adding the utility aims to close on the land by Feb. 14 so it can submit required paperwork to the Utah Office of Energy Development.

The grant and the substation are meant to address near-term capacity constraints and longer-term growth, including demand from electric-vehicle chargers, Gary said. He described technical plans to upgrade existing lines (noting a move from a 34.5-kV configuration toward framing at 138 kV and energizing at 69 kV) and said equipment lead times are long: “If I ordered it today, I'm 4 to 5 years before I'll get it,” he said, referring to large transformers. The utility also plans eventual ties to the Todd substation to improve redundancy and reduce prolonged planned nightly outages.

Commissioners confirmed the site is zoned industrial and discussed whether a special meeting would be needed to meet the applicant's timeline. The presiding official explained that under the municipality's new ordinance, a simple subdivision of this type can be approved by the planning and zoning commission and does not require town council review. “The way this new ordinance is written… Simple subdivision like this, planning and zoning gives the approval. This does not go to town council,” the chair said during the exchange.

Speaker 2 moved to approve the subdivision as presented and Speaker 1 seconded. The chair called for the question; members responded 'Aye' and the motion carried. The commission directed staff to send appropriate written notice and next steps to involved parties.

The applicant and utility representatives are expected to pursue the land closing and submit follow-up paperwork to the Office of Energy Development. The commission also agreed to pursue an amendment to the subdivision ordinance language to better accommodate small commercial or industrial splits in future reviews.