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Plat committee approves 5.5-acre subdivision for electrical substation at 6155 Hodgen Road
Summary
The Richmond City Plat Committee approved a minor subdivision to split 5.5 acres from a 124.344-acre parcel at 6155 Hodgen Road to convey to a utility for construction of an electrical substation; staff said the proposal complies with the Richmond UDO and follows a prior BZA variance.
The Richmond City Plat Committee voted July 29 to approve SP2-2026, allowing a 5.5-acre lot to be split from a 124.344-acre parent parcel at 6155 Hodgen Road so the land can be conveyed for construction of an electrical substation.
Gary Hahn, who identified himself as a representative of Whiteman Engineering and Land Surveying, told the committee the McCormicks — the property owners — intend to convey the 5.5-acre tract to a utility for a substation. "The McCormicks wish to split off 5.5 acres of their property, on the south side of Hodgen Road up against the Indiana and Ohio state line," Hahn said, explaining his firm prepared the land survey and is seeking committee approval "so our client can move on with the project."
City staff (Scott) summarized the technical review and recommended approval, saying the proposal meets lot-dimension standards and UDO requirements for setbacks and lot coverage. Staff cited Indiana Code 36-7-4-707 and the Richmond Unified Development Ordinance in recommending approval and noted the Board of Zoning Appeals had earlier granted a variance (BZA case 10-2026 on May 13, 2026) to allow a substation in the agricultural district. "Staff recommends approving the primary plat application for 6155 Hodgen Road," Scott stated during the staff report.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about whether substations are allowed in agricultural zoning and whether the variance had already been decided; staff confirmed the variance approval and explained that the current step is the subdivision recording. Members also asked if the project was in anticipation of new development or tied to transmission upgrades. Hahn and staff said the work is related to an upgrade of an existing transmission corridor to accommodate interconnection among AEP Indiana Michigan Power and AES Ohio, but staff did not provide full details about which utilities will operate or own the substation.
A committee member moved to approve SP2-2026; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The chair declared the motion carries and the committee advised that, once recorded at the county, the applicant may proceed with project steps.
The committee also noted the meeting was broadcast on Whitewater Government Television (WGTV).
