CC Staff Report 09-25-2017 •
(1) CITY OF CHANHASSEN
Chanhassen isa Community for Life-Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow
.�H._A..y
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
DATE: September 25, 2017 044,/,
SUBJ: Xcel Energy 115 Kilovolt Electric Transmission Line Project
PROPOSED MOTION:
"The City Council approves the City of Chaska as the Responsible Government Unit for
Preparation of the Environmental Assessment for the Xcel Energy 115 Kilovolt Electric
Transmission Line Project."
Approval requires a simple majority vote of the City Council.
BACKGROUND
The City of Chaska has requested Xcel Energy supply power to the proposed Lake Hazeltine
Substation to be located on Columbia Court North. The substation is needed to provide increased
reliability of electric service in the City of Chaska and will reduce overloads on neighboring lines
and transformers. A small portion of the proposed 1.5-mile transmission line will span City of
Chanhassen property located at the southwest corner of Lyman Boulevard and Audubon Road(see
attached preliminary route plan map). Because the proposed project spans multiple jurisdictions,
only one city can proceed as the Responsible Government Unit(RGU)to perform an Environmental
Assessment(EA). Staff has reviewed the project and is comfortable with the City of Chaska
assuming the role of RGU for the project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve the City of Chaska as the Responsible Government Unit
in order to prepare the Environmental Assessment for the Xcel Energy 115 Kilovolt Electric
Transmission Line Project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Xcel Energy Project Fact Sheet.
2. Preliminary Route Plan Map.
g:\admin\tg\xcel energy transmission line\approving chaska as rgu for ea 09-25-2017.docx
PH 952.227.1100• www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us • FX 952.227.1110
7700 MARKET BOULEVARD • PO BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN • MINNESOTA 55317
I
Xcel Energy's
RESPONSIBLE BY NATURE'.
NEW 115 KILOVOLT (KV) ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT
TO THE LAKE HAZELTINE SUBSTATION
FACT SHEET
Project Location
The project is located in the City of Chaska, extending approximately 1.5 miles from the intersection of Lyman
Blvd and Audubon Road to the new Lake Hazeltine Substation located on Columbia Court N. The proposed
route of the electric transmission line will be along the southwesterly side of Lyman Blvd to the Twin Cities and
Western Railroad tracks, following the railroad west to the north shore of Lake Hazeltine, and then continue
north along west side of Columbia Court N. to the proposed Lake Hazeltine Electric Substation. (See map on
reverse.)
Project Description
• The Project is in response to a request from the City of Chaska's
Electric Department to supply power to the proposed Lake Hazeltine
Substation. The substation is needed to provide increased reliability
of electric service in the City of Chaska and will reduce overloads on
neighboring lines and transformers.
• Approximately 1.5 miles of new 115 kV transmission line will be built to
serve the new substation. .
• The majority of the new transmission line structures will be self-
supporting galvanized steel poles with an average span of 350 f
between them. Pole heights will range from 75-100 feet. Some
alternate specialty structures will be used at road and railroad ' :
qt
crossings and when there is a change in direction.
• New right-of-way acquisition will be needed for areas outside of
railroad and public road right-of-ways. Anticipated easement widths to
be acquired over private land will range from approximately 25 to 75
feet.
• Project construction is expected to begin in 2018 Typical 115kV Transmission Pole
Permitting Process
• Xcel Energy is seeking local approval of the proposed route from the City of Chaska. The State Public
Utilities Commission will also be notified of the proposed project
• Prior to start of construction, additional permits will be obtained from Carver County, the Watershed District
MNDOT, Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies
Next Steps
• Xcel Energy will begin conducting field surveys in the project corridor to locate existing property lines,
utilities and start to develop plans for the proposed power line. Xcel will reach out to the adjoining property
owners to discuss the location of the power poles and easement acquisition.
Project Contacts:
Brian Sullivan, Land Rights Agent Gene Kotz, Project Manager
Brian.E.Sullivan@xcelenergy.com Eugene.Kotz@xcelenergy.com
(612) 330-5925 (612) 330-5625
.111
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