§ 4.3.26. Electrical substations.
A.
Prior to, or at a minimum along with submittal of an application to locate a new distribution electric substation in residential areas, the utility shall provide to the Development Review Committee (DRC) information regarding the utility's preferred site together with a minimum of three alternative available sites, including sites within nonresidential areas, that are technically and electrically reasonable for the load to be served. Nonresidential areas are considered proposed sites which are bounded on all sides by other than residential lands. Residential areas are considered proposed sites which are bounded on any one side by residential lands.
B.
DRC shall make the final determination on the site application as to the preferred and alternative sites within 90 days of presentation of all the necessary and required information on the preferred site and on the alternative sites.
C.
In the event the utility and DRC are unable to reach agreement on an appropriate location, the substation site selection and all additional information provided shall be submitted to the Board for review and determination of the site selection.
D.
In the event the utility and the Board are unable to reach agreement on an appropriate location, the substation site selection shall be submitted to mediation in accordance with the provisions of § 163.3208(6)(a) FS.
E.
Electrical substation in residential areas.
(1)
Electric substations in residential areas shall provide for year-round visual screening and buffering which will minimize adverse impacts on neighboring properties. A landscape and buffering site plan prepared by a registered landscape architect shall be provided which addresses visual, light and sound intrusion into the neighboring properties.
(2)
Setbacks from the substation property boundary to any permanent equipment or structure located on the substation property shall be a minimum of 100 feet. Within the 80 feet immediately adjacent to the substation property boundary, the setback shall be an open green space and shall include at a minimum native landscaping material and five medium trees (30-40 feet in height at maturity) per each 100 linear feet of property boundary. The remainder of the setback area, being a minimum of 20 feet lying immediately adjacent to the permanent equipment/structure area of the substation property, shall be an open green space buffer, and shall include at a minimum, native landscaping and a continuous hedge. Trees shall be planted so as to provide a visual screen and may be staggered to present a more natural setting. Vegetated buffers or screening beneath aerial access points to the substation equipment shall not be required to have a mature height in excess of 14 feet. A security fence or wall, eight feet in height and surrounding the substation equipment/structure area shall be constructed between the permanent equipment/structure area and the continuous hedge.
(3)
In the event the substation parcel of land is of a size in which the buffer area along one or more boundaries would exceed the 100-foot minimum, the equipment/structure area shall be shifted to provide the maximum separation between the equipment area and property boundaries adjacent to residential uses.
(4)
Ground and building lighting, if any, shall be limited to the permanent equipment/structure area, and shall be shielded to cast light down on the substation property and not onto adjacent properties. The maximum height of a light pole shall be 20 feet.
(5)
Electric substations shall be prohibited in the conservation and natural reservation land use categories.
F.
Electrical substations in non-residential areas.
(1)
Electric substations in non-residential areas shall provide for year-round visual screening and buffering which will minimize adverse impacts on neighboring properties. A landscape and buffering site plan prepared by a registered landscape architect shall be provided which addresses visual, light and sound intrusion into the neighboring properties.
(2)
Buffer areas from the substation property boundary to any permanent equipment or structure located on the substation property shall be a minimum of 25 feet and shall include a Land Development Code, Type B buffer (currently a minimum width of 25 feet, with a minimum of 5 trees and 30 shrubs per 100 linear feet with a wall). Trees shall be planted so as to provide a visual screen and may be staggered to present a more natural setting. Vegetated buffers or screening beneath aerial access points to the substation equipment shall not be required to have a mature height in excess of 14 feet. The permanent equipment/structure area shall be surrounded by an eight-foot high security fence or wall.
(3)
Ground and building lighting, if any, shall be limited to the permanent equipment/structure area, and shall be shielded to cast light down on the substation property and not onto adjacent properties. The maximum height of a light pole shall be 20 feet.
(4)
Electric substations shall be prohibited in the conservation and natural reservation land use categories.
(Ord. No. 17-08, § 2(Exh. A), 4-11-2017)