HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-28 CC Packet Enclosure Oak Park Heights
Request for Council Action
Meeting Date November 28, 2023
Agenda Item Xcel Energy Substation Conditional Use to Allow Security/Screening Fencing
5789 Stagecoach Trail North
Time Req. 5
Agenda Placement New Business
Originating Department/Requestor City Planner Scott Richards
Requester's Signature
Action Requested Approve Resolution
Background/Justification(Please indicate any previous action has been taken or if other public
bodies have been advised).
See attached Planning Report and draft Resolution.
Page 17 of 40
TPC3601 Thurston Avenue N. Suite 100
Anoka, MN 55303
Phone: 763.231.5840
Facsimile: 763,427.0520
TPC@PlanningCo.corn
PLANNING REPORT
TO: Jacob Rife
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: November 21, 2023
RE: Oak Park Heights — Xcel Energy Substation - Conditional Use to
Allow Security/Screening Fencing — 5789 Stagecoach Trail North
FILE NO: 236.02 — 23.05
BACKGROUND
Brian Sullivan of Xcel Energy has made an application for a Conditional Use Permit
(CUP) to allow construction of a 10 foot security and screening fence at the Xcel Energy
Substation, 5789 Stagecoach Trail North. The fence will be constructed of wood along
the north, west and south sides of the substation with a gate at the southeast corner. At
the east side of the substation a 10 foot black chain link fence will be installed.
The property is zoned 0 — Open Space Conservation District in which electrical
substations are a permitted use. The Conditional Use Permit is required to allow the
fence height of 10 feet.
The Planning Commission, at their November 9, 2023, meeting, held a public hearing,
took the Applicant's and public testimony, and after consideration of the application,
unanimously recommended approval with conditions. The recommended conditions are
found below and the City Council resolution.
Attached for reference:
Exhibit 1: Project Narrative from Xcel Energy — Brian Sullivan
Exhibit 2: Proposed Plan
Exhibit 3: Site Pictures
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the application for a Conditional
Use Permit to allow construction of a 10 foot security and screening fence at the Xcel
Energy Substation, 5789 Stagecoach Trail North., subject to the following conditions.
The Planning Commission also recommended that the screening provisions of the
Zoning Ordinance be reviewed so simple variations related to fencing and screening
Page 18 of 40
would not require a Conditional Use Permit. The City Council should discuss and
provide direction.
1. Any non-security lighting, if installed, shall be full cut off and comply with the
Zoning Ordinance requirements.
2. If Xcel determines a need for a storage area to the south of the substation,
screening and City review shall be required.
3. Xcel shall provide fence construction plans as part of the required building permit
subject to City Staff review.
Pc: Julie Hultman
2
Page 19 of 40
Xcel Ener
RESPONSIBLE BY NATURES
October 10.2023
City of Oak Park Heights
14168 Oak Park Blvd.N.
Oak Park Heights.MN
Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota Corporation.dtbia Xcel Energy. herein referred to as "Xcel
Energy", its agents, contractors, and employees will be performing maintenance on Electric Substation,
located at 5789 Stage Coach Trail N . Work will consist of the replacement of the current fence around the
substation. The work is scheduled to take place in 2024. A new 10 foot tall fence will be constructed to
enhance security on the property and for the general upkeep of the fence enclosing our facility.
To ensure the protection of employees, contractors. the general public, and company property and
equipment, Xcel Energy has adopted measures to ensure the safe operation of our facilities. The National
Electric Safety Code states in part that rooms and spaces in which electrical supply conductors or
equipment are installed will be so arranged with fences, screens, partitions, or walls to minimize the
entrance of unauthorized persons or interference by them with equipment inside. The electric transmission
line and the structures and devices that support the lines are an integral part to the delivery of electricity to
our customers. The risk of interrupted service and injury is high for unauthorized access to our equipment.
Only specially trained and equipped personal may enter these areas.
In response to the obligation to increase security at our facilities, Xcel Energy implemented new fence
standards for securing substation properties. The new standards increase the difficulty of gaining unlawful
access into the substation. Analysis has shown that increasing the fence height from 8' to 10' and limiting
the mesh opening in chain link fences openings to less than 1" increases the difficulty of scaling the fence,
deterring unauthorized access into the property.
Recent inspections by Xcel Energy identified the need to implement security measures that will reduce the
possibility of unauthorized access to our facilities. The fence improvements include a ten feet tall solid
wood fence along the north. west and south sides of the substation, In addition to security enhancements,
the wood fence will provide a visual screen to the property. The east side of the property and the gates will
be ten feet tall black chain link fence. The chain link will allow first responders visual site lines into the
substation prior to entering the facility. The existing chain link fence around the storage area to the south
side of the substation will be removed.
The fence upgrades are part of Xcel Energy's comprehensive efforts to secure the electric grid. More
specific details about the fence are included for your use. If there are any unanswered questions, don't
hesitate to contact me.
Thank you,
Brian Sullivan
Siting and Land Rights Agent
File; Oak Park Heights Sub
*cel Energy
414 Nicollet Mall, 06 I Minneapolis, MN 55401
P: 612.216.8083 1 C:612.366.0234
Email: brian.e.sullivanAxceleneray.com
Page 20 of 40
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RESOLUTION NO,
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
WASHINGTON COUNTY,MINNESOTA
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING FINDINGS OF FACT AND
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE REQUEST BY
XCEL ENERGY FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW
CONSTRUCTION OF A 10-FOOT SECURITY AND SCREENING
FENCE AT THE XCEL SUBSTATION, 5789 STAGECOACH TRAIL
NORTH BE APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS
WHEREAS,the City of Oak Park Heights has received a request from Xcel Energy for a
Conditional Use Permit to allow construction of a 10 foot security and screening fence at
the Xcel Energy Substation at 5789 Stagecoach Trail North; and after having conducted a
public hearing relative thereto, the Planning Commission of Oak Park Heights
recommended that the application be approved with conditions. The City Council of the
City of Oak Park Heights makes the following findings of fact and resolution:
1. The real property affected by said application is legally described as
follows, to wit:
SEE ATTACHMENT A
and
2. The applicant has submitted an application and supporting documentation
to the Community Development Department consisting of the following items:
SEE ATTACHMENT B
and
3. The property is zoned 0-Open Space Conservation District in which
electrical substations are a permitted use; and
4. The 10 foot fence will be constructed of wood along the north,west and
south sides of the substation with a gate at the southeast corner; and
5. At the east side of the substation, a 10 foot black chain link fence will be
installed; and
6. Xcel Energy will remove the fencing around the storage area on the south
side of the substation and that area will no longer be used as a storage area; and
Page 28 of 40
7. A Conditional Use Permit is required to allow the 10 foot fence where a
maximum of eight feet is allowed in Section 401.15. E of the Zoning Ordinance; and
8. City staff prepared a planning report dated November 2, 2023, reviewing
the request; and
9. Said report recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit subject
to the fulfillment of conditions; and
10. The Planning Commission held a public hearing at their November 9,
2023,meeting, took comments from the applicants and public, closed the public hearing,
and recommended the application for approval with conditions.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR
THE CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES
THE FOLLOWING:
A. The application submitted by Xcel Energy for a Conditional Use Permit to allow
construction of a 10 foot security and screening fence at the Xcel Energy Substation at
5789 Stagecoach Trail North affecting the real property as follows:
SEE ATTACHMENT A
Be and the same as hereby approved by the City Council of the City of Oak Park Heights
with the following conditions:
1. Any non-security lighting, if installed, shall be full cut off and comply with the
Zoning Ordinance requirements.
2. If Xcel determines a need for a storage area to the south of the substation,
screening and City review shall be required.
3. Xcel shall provide fence construction plans as part of the required building permit
subject to City Staff review.
Approved by the City Council of the City of Oak Park Heights this 28th day of November
2023.
Mary McComber, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jacob Rife, City Administrator
2
Page 29 of 40
ATTACHMENT A
Conditional Use Permit
For
Xcel Energy Substation
Security/Screening Fencing
Located at
5789 Stagecoach Trail,N.
Washington County Property Identification Numbers:
03.029.20.12.0016
03.029.20.12.0014
03.029.20.13.0005
Page 30 of 40
ATTACHMENT B
Conditional Use Permit
For
Xcel Energy Substation
Security/Screening Fencing
Located at
5789 Stagecoach Trail, N.
Application Materials
• Application Form
• Fees
• Plan Sets
• Written Narrative and Graphic Materials Explaining Proposal
• Mailing List from Washington County (350'/150' from subject property)
• Proof of Ownership or Authorization to Proceed
Planning Commission Public Hearing& Recommendation: November 9, 2023
Required Approvals: CUP
City Council 4/5
Conditional Use Permit- Lapse of Approval:
Unless the City Council specifically approves a different time when action is officially taken on
the request, the conditional use permit shall become null and void twelve(12)months after the
date of approval, unless the property owner or applicant has substantially started the construction
of any building, structure, addition or alteration, or use requested as part of the conditional use.
An application to extend the approval of a conditional use permit shall be submitted to the
Zoning Administrator not less than thirty (30)days before the expiration of said approval.
(401.03.C.4.a and b)
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Page 32 of 40