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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 05/02/2012 - COMMONWEALTH EDISON, 2065 TONNE RD. v � Elk Grove Village Plan Commission Minutes May 2, 2012 Present: P. Ayers J. Meyers C. Henrici F. Geinosky J. Glass T. Thompson G. Schumm J. Morrill Absent: E. Hauser Staff: J. Carey, Assistant to the Village Manager S. Trudan, Deputy Director of Community Development K. Jay, Staff Engineer Petitioner: B. Parker, ComEd External Affairs Representative P. Azarello, ComEd Project Manager Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Item 1: Commonwealth Edison—Special Use, 2065 Tonne Road Chairman Glass read the legal notice into the record. Chairman Glass noted for the record that the Public Hearing notices were mailed to neighboring properties and published in the Daily Herald. Chairman Glass noted that the property was also properly signed. Secretary Geinosky swore in the petitioners. P. Azarello presented a PowerPoint presentation that discussed the various components within the existing electrical substation and the proposed changes. The substation is being expanded to add redundancy into the system which will increase the reliability of the power supply to ComEd electrical customers. In addition to the redundancy implemented into the system, motion detectors and additional security features will also be installed. P. Azarello explained that the substation currently contains two transmission lines and six transformers. In order to increase the reliability of the substation, an additional two transmission lines and one additional transformer will be added to the site. These additional lines will allow the substation to continue to provide power in the event of damage to the transmission lines. ComEd anticipates beginning construction in June 2012 and completing in December 2013. P. Azarello explained that a decorative concrete masonry wall will be installed around the west and south sides of the property to screen from the adjacent roadways and residential properties. Due to the underground infrastructure at the site, the surface on the proprety is not paved. The petitioner stated that there was no record of complaints regarding dust from the gravel surface in the past. z P. Azarello explained that there are currently two pole structures on the property which will be replaced with 3 "H' frame electrical strictures. The site will also continue to have multiple enclosures on the site for which a variation is being requested. Due to the underground infrastructure of the site, gravel is used instead of pavement within the substation site. The landscape plan meets the intent of the Village ordinances due to the concern over the placement of trees under transmission lines and the underground infrastructure. The enclosures on the property are prefabricated according to a national electrical industry standard. The petitioner stated that no construction would take place during the Tour of Elk Grove bike race. Commissioner Morrill asked the petitioner why there was a need for an access road on the south side of the property. P. Azarello stated that the southern entrance would only be used in emergency situations and during the construction of the expanded site. This entrance would otherwise only be used if the other gate failed to operate. Comissioner Schumm asked the petitioner where the parking at the facility would be located. P. Azarello stated that maintenance staff typically drives into the site and parks the vehicle adjacent to wherever the work is being conducted. Commissioner Schumm asked the petitioner if there was a principal building on the property. P. Azarello stated that there was not since all of the buildings were identical, but that a principal building would be identified for the record. Commissioner Ayers asked what areas the substation provided electricity. P. Azarello stated that the existing ComEd substation provides electrical supply to parts of Elk Grove, the Chicago O'Hare airport, and other neighboring communities. Commissioner Ayers asked if the gate on the south side of the property would be chain link. P. Azarello stated that the gate at the south entrance would be a chain link swing gate. i Commissioner Ayers asked what the maximum height of the property would be. P. Azarello stated that the initial request called for a 75 foot height variation, but that only a 60 foot variation was required for the structures. P. Azarello further stated that a 60 foot variation would suffice. Commissioner Meyers asked how far the masonry wall would extend on Tonne Road and North Parkway Road. P. Azarello responded that the wall would extend the complete portion of both the west and south sides of the property. Commissioner Henrici asked what watermain solution the petitioner was choosing based on staff review comments and what size would the pipe be. P. Azarello responded that ComEd was looking towards option #1 and that the watermain would be eight inches. Commissioner Henrici asked staff why a variance was necessary for the property in relation to the construction materials used for the buildings. S. Trudan responded that metal siding required a variance but masonry or stone did not. Commissioner Gemosky asked the petitioner if there was a next step in infrastructure upgrades at the substation after these improvements were made. P. Azarello stated that ComEd would not expand its 3 footprint beyond what was being proposed , but that there would be an increase in equipment on site to handle future capacity. This work is projected to begin in 2014 at the earliest. Commissioner Geinosky asked the petitioner if ComEd standards followed national guidelines for electrical substations. P. Azarello stated that Corned does, but often supersedes national standards in the interests of safety and efficiencies within the electrical system. Commissioner Geinosky asked staff if the landscape plan was satisfactory. K. Jay stated that the landscape plan meets the intent of the ordinance and that staff had no concerns. Julie Sass from 701 North Parkway expressed concern about the additional noise being generated at the property due to the expansion of the site and the increase in traffic on North Parkway, and whether there were any drainage concerns. P. Azarello stated that the noise level would not change. He further explained that the southern entrance to the facility on North Parkway would very seldom be used with the exception of when construction was occurring. He further explained that a culvert would be installed under the driveway entrance on North Parkway. Domenico Schiavone from 701 Center Street requested a electro-magnetic study of the ComEd substation before and after the work is completed at the property to determine the health risks involved with the site. Chairman Glass stated that numerous studies have been conducted throughout the years that have all indicated no adverse health risks to individuals living in proximity to electrical substations. P. Azarello concurred and stated that the proposed project did not increase capacity at the site, but only added infrastructure to increase reliability at the substation. RECOMMENDATION Commissioner Geinosky moved to recommend approval of the Special Use petition for Commonwealth Edison, for property located at 2065 Tonne Road subject to allow the following conditions and zoning variations: 1) Construction of the new transmission towers at a height no greater than 60 feet. 2) Construction of the front yard fence/barrier wall must be 27 feet from the Tonne Road frontage; 3) The petitioner constructs a decorative masonry wall along the south and western sides of the site; and 4) The petitioner is permitted to utilize stone in parking areas. Commissioner Henrici seconded the motion. Upon voting (Henrici, Ayers, Meyers, Geinosky, Glass, Thompson, Schumm, Morrill AYES)the motion carried. Item 2: Adjournment Commissioner Ayers motioned to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Henrici seconded the motion. Upon voting (Henrici, Ayers, Meyers, Geinosky, Glass, Thompson, Schumm, Morrill AYES) the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 4 Joseph Carey Assistant to the Village Manager C: Chairman and Members of the Plan Commission, Mayor and Board of Trustees, Village Clerk, Village Manager, Deputy Village Manager, Director of Public Works, Director of Community Development, Police Chief, Acting Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Inspectional Services Supervisor,Village Attorney