PONDERAY — The Planning and Zoning Commission is hosting a public hearing later this week as part of its review of a special use permit by Avista for a new public utility complex facility.

Avista is proposing to build a six-acre substation on around 22 acres of property that the organization owns at the intersection of East Bronx Road and U.S. 95. In the project’s narrative, Avista’s representative Karen Kendall writes that the new substation is necessary for the company to continue providing reliable and efficient electricity to Ponderay after a 15.8% population increase over 2020 to 2023. 

Avista also intends to build a service center on the northwestern corner of the property within the next decade, according to the project's narrative. The company also wrote that it would take steps to mitigate the impact on the neighborhood by installing landscaping, noise reduction walls and further visual softening, if the project is approved. 

The initial construction phase would take around 16 months, according to the narrative, and would include adding additional vehicle access to the property. The company has already been making improvements to Craig Court, as per the request of the Ponderay City Council, in anticipation of this project. 

The commission will hear public testimony during its meeting on April 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Ponderay City Council chambers.