PONDERAY — The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a special use permit for Avista to build a new public complex facility, which includes a new substation.

The six-acre substation is set to be built on 22 acres of property at the intersection of East Bronx Road and U.S. 95. Within 10 years, Avista said it also plans to add a service center to the property. Karen Kendall, representative from Avista, said the company is moving forward with the substation in an effort to provide more stable power to the city of Ponderay. 

“This infrastructure will provide reliability,” Kendall said at the meeting. “This substation is ultimately going to provide reduced outages, improve restoration times and support the future residential and business growth which this community has seen.” 

According to the project's application, Avista will be constructing walls around the substation to mitigate sound. The company will be using durisol-branded walls for the first time, which are designed to provide noise deadening effects, according to Avista engineer Brian Parsons.  

“It hasn't been used at any previous substation,” Parsons said. “Avista has 168 substations on our system, so this will be one of one, and that the noise at all those other sites with just a traditional chain of fence hasn't caused issues in the past.” 

Of the conditions of approval added by the commission, the primary shift will require Avista to provide more natural landscaping, including shrubs and greenery, in front of the substation walls. The condition was added following public comment from Lisa Morton-Gramyk, who owns property at 780 E. Bronx Road. 

Morton-Gramyk said that she would like to see more trees added to block the view of the nine-foot-high walls. Kendall expressed concern about adding trees, as they can easily conflict with the power lines and become a fire hazard for the unmanned station, which is how the commission settled on adding shrubbery and vegetation. 

During public comment, Morton-Gramyk also asked about electric and magnetic fields and how they could affect her when driving by the substation. In the application, Avista determined that residences were too far away and buffered by trees to be affected by EMFs more than the use of household appliances. 

“Even directly in the substation, standing right next to it, the EMF levels are below what you would typically experience in your cell phone or microwave,” Parsons said. "So, long story short, that is not really a concern.” 

The initial construction phase is set to take around 16 months, according to the narrative, and will include adding additional vehicle access to the property. However, the start time for construction was not discussed during the meeting. 

The commission’s next scheduled meeting is scheduled for May 14 at 5:30 p.m. in Ponderay City Council chambers.