2000-101 GRANTING SPECIAL PERMIT - ELECTRIC SUBSTATION - NORTHEAST CORNER OF MOUND AND GREENSWITCH ROADS

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' Excerpts from Plan Commission Minutes of November 2, 2000 Cal. No. 00-67 Petition of ILLINOIS POWER COMPANY, 500 South 27th Street, for a Special Use Permit to allow an electrical substation at property located at the NORTHEAST CORNER OF MOUND ROAD and , GREENSWITCH ROAD. �I Mr. Norm Lienemann, Consultant for Illinois Power Company, was present and spoke for the ' petition stating that the substation is necessary to handle the increased load in the northeast part of Decatur. A landscaping plan was submitted. Mr. Shampine asked what type of fencing would be provided. Mr. Lienemann stated that the fence would be chain link around the station for safety and there would be landscaping around the site. Mr. Schiller asked how much tower and line work would be needed. Mr. Lienemann stated that the line to tap is already on the south side of Mound Road and the distribution lines will be needed. The transformers are 18 feet high and the metalwork is 20 to 25 feet high. There were no objectors present. NIr. Bragg presented the recommendation of staff: The petitioner is requesting a Special Use Permit to operate an electric substation at the northeast corner of Mound Road and Crreenswitch Road. The tract contains approximately 1.4 acres and is vacant. The subject property is zoned R-6, Multiple Dwelling District. Property to the north and east is zoned R-1, Single Family Residence District and developed as a mobile home park to the north. Property to the west is outside of city limits and is currently vacant and unimproved. Property to the south is zoned O-1 Office District and developed with similar uses, property to the southwest is zoned R-1 and developed with single-family residences. The area is designated as Mixed Use development on the Decatur Urban Area Land Use Plan. A Special Use Pernut for public utility purposes may be sought under Section 21, paragraph N of the Zoning Ordinance, where it is determined that said use is reasonably necessary for public convenience or welfare. Special Use public utility structures may be sought in any zoning district. The petitioner is proposing to construct a substation facility of approximately 25 feet in height at the corner. The station would be set back approximately 50 feet on the north, west and south sides and will observe a 40 foot setback on the east side. Internal structures will be set back an additional 50 feet from the fence enclosure. Access to the site would be accomplished via an access drive on Greenswitch Road located approximately 175' north of the intersection at Mound Road. The petitioner will provide a barrier fence for public safety and landscaping as a site break for the development.