Marfa
AEP, the electric utility providing power to Marfa and Presidio, has submitted a new application for the city to rezone a plot of land for a new electric substation—after its original application spurred controversy among Marfa residents last year.
On January 19, AEP submitted an application for a special use permit rezoning, which required much more detail on the proposal and the ability for officials to impose “conditions” for approving a rezoning.
AEP’s proposal involves purchasing an approximately four-acre lot at the corner of Oak and Aparejo streets and erecting a new substation—eight times larger than the existing Oak Street station near Sal Si Puedes and triple the capacity, increasing from 5 MVA to 15 MVA (megavolt-amperes)—an estimated $7 million to $10 million endeavor. Since the land is zoned residential, AEP needs the rezoning to industrial to proceed with the purchase of the property to build the substation.
Some residents who live across the street from the land, as well a majority of Marfans speaking at public hearings, objected to the possible impacts of substation—sound and appearance, for example—and setting a precedent for rezoning that didn’t fit the city’s comprehensive plan. They also questioned why AEP didn’t do a more thorough study of alternative sites. Others supported the plan citing the need for additional electric capacity and AEP’s history of being a good neighbor.
The Marfa Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) eventually recommended that the City Council not to approve the rezoning last June. In October, council members—not all on the same page regarding the rezoning—unanimously voiced the need for more details and thus, requested that AEP come back with a more detailed application.
The process will begin anew with a P&Z public hearing on February 17 at 6 p.m. in the Casner Room, City Hall, 113 S. Highland Avenue.
The new application includes details (some of which were shared originally) like: “The substation pad will be constructed with permeable materials designed to allow stormwater to pass through the foundation, minimizing runoff and supporting natural drainage on the site. Exact stormwater drainage will be provided once an in-depth study is completed during the final design process. Mitigation measures will include, but are not limited to, downward-directed lighting that does not trespass onto neighboring properties, upgraded fencing for security and visual screening, and landscaping around the perimeter of the site to reduce visual impacts. … We are willing to coordinate with the Planning and Zoning Committee ahead of the meeting to resolve details prior to the in-person session.”
Previous critics of the project had not seen the new documents as of Monday and were unable to comment without reviewing the 35-page submission.
The application also offers new maps and site details as well as photos as examples of how parts of the project might look. You can see past coverage of the issue and download the special use permit application at bigbendsentinel.aep-rezone.