March 29, 2024

Council votes down proposed substation

A request for a conditional use permit by Iowa Power and Light to build a new substation on West Howard Street failed to pass during the Creston City Council’s regular scheduled meeting Tuesday evening.

This item carried over from the previous meeting July 2, where the council voted to table the motion until more information had been gathered. A ten-page petition with at least 100 signatures had been provided to the council during that meeting, as well as reinforcement of the planning and zoning commission’s recommendation against the substation.

“I would like to see this,” said Mayor Steve Wintermute. “I spent a lot of time in that area of town this week and the main thing you see is the cement plant. I think that if Alliant puts in a nice fence and trees, it has to be better.”

Creston At Large Representative Terry Freeman, who spoke to real estate professionals, said he would tend to agree with the mayor.

“I too spent some time looking at that view. Most of what you see is rocks,” said Freeman. “The consensus is that property may devalue, but not necessarily from the substation. There are many factors to consider when discussing what devalues a property.”

Mike Taylor, city administrator, said he spoke to other cities who have placed substations in residential areas.

“No one provided me with anything to suggest there is significance in either way. However utilities are required by cities and where they can be is per your code,” he said. “But, if they are not approved to be in the city, we could loose some revenue, due to increased construction costs. You cannot place an actual number on that, but it is there.”

Brian Davis, Ward 5 representative, spoke to cities officials of Sheraton and Burlington, who have allowed substations within city limits.

“It was difficult to compare the other cities situation with ours as these cities did not have substations in residential areas,” Davis said “The bottom line is, property values or potential health risks cannot be proven, but the folks over there don’t want it. I think that enough people have come forward that are affected and do not want it.”

The motion was put up roll call following comments from the council and was voted down 5 to 2. Council members who voted in favor were Rich Madison and Freeman. Gabe Carroll, MaKenzi Vonk, Brenda Lyell-Keate, Ron Higgins and Davis voted no.