Staff previews Encore electric substation, requests three variances for site plan

Planning staff presented a site plan for a new Encore electric substation proposed at 1650 West Oakdale Road, saying the project sits on about 9.4 acres in a light‑industrial zoning district.

Why it matters: staff said the parcel is bisected by a 150‑foot utility easement and that the applicant is requesting three variances to make the substation functional on the constrained site. The variances are a tower‑height exception from the 50‑foot limit to 65 feet to accommodate high‑voltage lines; an alternative landscape/screening approach that includes a berm up to 6 feet tall plus a masonry wall adjacent to residential properties; and an exemption from minimum paving standards to allow a gravel equipment pad and driveway because the access will be used only for occasional maintenance trips.

Staff described the location and site constraints before taking commissioner questions. A commissioner asked whether the berm would be located between the substation and the nearby residential street; staff clarified that a masonry screen wall will separate the substation from the residential area and the berm will screen the street frontage. Staff noted those landscaping and screening measures are intended to reduce visual impacts for nearby residents.

No vote or formal action was taken during the staff briefing. The case will be presented at the public hearing portion of the meeting for public comment and a commission recommendation.

Representative quote: "So this is a site plan for a new, electric substation that Encore is proposing at 16 50 West Oakdale Road." — Staff member (presenter)

What’s next: the item will return at the public hearing where the commission can take public comment and consider whether to recommend approval with or without the requested variances.