March 29, 2024

Creston P&Z recommends denial of substation permit

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The Creston Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend the city deny a request from Iowa Power and Light for a conditional use permit to construct an electrical substation at the intersection of Howard and Chestnut streets in an area zoned for light industrial Tuesday at the Creston City Hall.

Taylor McClellan, local manager for Alliant Energy, spoke of the need for a new substation, saying the current one is 62 years old and the load placed on it is too high. He said it is not possible to rebuild or refurbish the old substation because the space is not large enough. A new, larger substation on Howard Street would allow for growth for decades to come, he said.

McClellan said the new site was chosen for its size and proximity to the old station. Many of the circuits and two of the three existing transmission lines are already near the new site, cutting the construction costs by reducing the need for new lines.

McClellan presented an example of a substation which would meet the current industry standards and the needs of the community. The design, which was not finalized or geared specifically to the Creston site, included trees and decorative work for partially concealing the substation and blending it into the surrounding environment.

Residents

Six residents and a representative for a future resident of the area around the proposed site spoke against the substation. They spoke of the health risks, the damage to the value of their properties and the danger to children in the area.

Tom Fastenow said he researched the effects of living near a substation and found stories of increased cancer risk — including childhood leukemia. As a cancer survivor, he stated that the risks outweighed any cost savings that would come from using this space to build a substation.

Linda Castillo, who lives a block and a half from Chestnut Street, questioned the fact that she did not receive a notice about the planning commission’s meeting. She asked what the construction of a substation would do to the property values of homes around it.

Barb Coenen, a neighborhood resident, said she had a petition with more than 100 signatures from Creston residents urging the commission to vote no on any plan to build a substation in a residential area.

Wayne Feldhacker, owner of Feldhacker Family Fun Center, spoke of the 100 to 200 children who walk to the center every week. He stated he would not have bought the building for a youth oriented purpose if the substation had already been built nearby.

Due process

Martin Fisher and Kyle Savage of Fisher, Fisher and Groetken, a law firm in Adair County contacted by Feldhacker, spoke of the lack of due process for this conditional use permit.

Fisher and Savage presented evidence from the Creston Code of Ordinances section 165.12 stating conditional use permit applications must be accompanied by plans that specify how the use will not be detrimental to neighboring properties and how it will not be a nuisance to current residents. Additionally they stated the code requires that the commission find that the proposed variation will not “substantially diminish and impair property values within the immediate vicinity.” The sample plans provided by Alliant Energy and Iowa Power and Light do not meet those standards and no property value studies were done, they said.

Ordinance section 166.10 provides regulations for allowing a conditional use permit, including: maintaining open spaces and requiring that all equipment is enclosed in a permanent structure. Fisher and Savage said the use of the proposed site would take away the only open space in the area and that it is impossible to completely enclose the equipment in a substation.

SICOG

Jeremy Rounds of Southern Iowa Council of Governments, which has been tasked with creating a comprehensive plan for future development in Creston, stated that the city needs to look at the vision for the area when deciding whether or not to allow a substation to be built. The substation would still be there in 60 years; he asked if the city has looked at whether the area will be industrial or residential by that time.

Vote

Rick Foster moved to recommend the city deny the request for the conditional use permit. Josh Madison seconded the motion. A roll call vote was held. Madison, Foster and Jerry White voted to deny the request. Trudy LaRosee voted to recommend the request.

The recommendation will be brought before the Creston City Council at their regular meeting Tuesday.