Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Oncor substation expansion on South Cooper; asks for attractive low‑growth landscaping
Summary
Arlington approved a PD allowing expansion of an Oncor electric substation at 1918–1922 South Cooper Street. Councilmembers asked the utility to maximize attractive, low‑maintenance landscaping where safe and feasible.
The Arlington City Council approved PD 24-34 to allow expansion of an existing Oncor electric substation on roughly 3.43 acres at 1918 and 1922 South Cooper Street. The PD permits light‑industrial utility uses and an electric utility substation expansion to meet growing load in the area.
Oncor representative Seth Sampson described the project as an equipment upgrade to improve reliability. "We're upgrading and adding expanded equipment to meet the existing load and future load growth in the area," Sampson said. He said the project will include an 8‑foot masonry screening wall with landscaping placed outside the wall where safety and electrical clearances allow.
Council Member Bridal pressed for more attractive plantings where safe, naming species such as Italian cypress and smaller cultivars that produce a continuous green screen but acknowledged utility clearances limit choices. Sampson and HAP Associates representatives said utility standards require minimum clearances from conductors and that drought‑tolerant, low‑maintenance species are the more practical option for reliability and operations. "We do have approved species that our company approves and we're willing to share with staff and we can work out where we can," Sampson said.
Council Member Gonzales thanked Oncor for cleanup work and maintenance at the site. The applicant committed to masonry screening walls and landscaping outside the wall where allowed by safety rules.
Council Member Galante moved to approve the PD; Council Member Odom Wesley seconded. The motion passed.
The PD authorizes the electrical facility expansion; landscaping will be coordinated with city staff and Oncor's approved species list to ensure safety and maintainability near energized equipment.
