ITEM09 C15-2025-0014 PRESENTATION MAY12 — original pdf

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Slaughter Lane Substation Solid Wall Fence Variance Brandy Teague P.E., PMP, LEED AP, Austin Energy May 12, 2025 © Austin Energy ITEM09/1-PRESENTATIONMeeting Agenda Purpose Hardship Community Support Conclusion Slaughter Lane Substation Solid Wall Variance 2 ITEM09/2-PRESENTATIONClick to add single line titl Second line title 3 ITEM09/3-PRESENTATIONPower Lines and Energy Distribution Austin Energy delivers electricity to more than half a million customers in the greater Austin area. 4 ITEM09/4-PRESENTATION Purpose: 12-foot-high solid wall fence (Precast Concrete Panel) Austin Energy proposes constructing a 12-foot-high solid wall fence along the west and south sides of the Slaughter Lane Substation. This wall will: • Replace the existing aged chain-link fence. • Provide increased security and safety for the high-voltage electrical substation. • Align with Austin Energy’s standard for all new substations. • Be precast concrete panel construction, consistent with typical walls at other substations. • Include a 16-inch-wide mow strip for maintenance. • Address complaints from the neighbors about the noise and view of the substation. 5 ITEM09/5-PRESENTATIONAerial view of the substation property 6 ITEM09/6-PRESENTATIONCurrent fence view 7 ITEM09/7-PRESENTATIONSample Wall Designs 8 ITEM09/8-PRESENTATIONProperty Context • Substation is located behind residential lots and is bordered by wooded areas to the north and east. • The proposed solid wall fence does not front the street. • Existing homes and trees along the street screen the wall from public view. • Wall is set back from neighboring property lines. 9 ITEM09/9-PRESENTATIONJustification and Hardship Security Risks of the High Voltage Substation • The substation presents a serious safety hazard for unauthorized individuals unfamiliar with the dangers of high-voltage equipment. • Increase in unauthorized activity and trespassing due to nearby unhoused population that has set up camp on an undeveloped neighboring property. • Since 2020, there have been: o 9+ recorded break-ins o Incidents of property damage and theft 10 ITEM09/10-PRESENTATIONJustification and Hardship National Security Context • Homeland Security Threat Assessment • In response to recent domestic attacks on substations across the country, Austin Energy has upgraded perimeter requirements: o Wall fence height increased to 12 feet o Design intended to deter climbing and unauthorized access 2025 highlights how some violent actors are continuing to targe electrical infrastructure: o Lansing, MI transformer attacks (2023– 2024) o On February 8, 2023, Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a Joint Intelligence Bulletin (JIB) highlighting “the continued interest by some RMVEs [racially- or ethnically- motivated violent extremists] in conducting attacks against US critical infrastructure, particularly electrical infrastructure” 11 ITEM09/11-PRESENTATIONCommunity Impact and Support • Aesthetic Improvement: Replacing chain-link fence with decorative 12 -foot solid wall fence improves visual appeal for neighbors. • Noise Reduction: The wall will serve as a sound barrier to help mitigate substation equipment noise. • Neighbor Engagement: o Residents along South and West sides have voiced long-standing concerns about the substation’s appearance and noise. o Austin Energy’s Public Involvement & Real Estates Services team contacted nearby residents regarding the project and variance request. o Conducted a community meeting in Dec 2023 & received a positive feedback in support of the wall. 12 ITEM09/12-PRESENTATIONConclusion • The proposed 12-foot solid wall fence: o Enhances security and safety o Provides aesthetic and noise buffering benefits to the neighborhood o Reflects community input and national infrastructure protection standards 13 ITEM09/13-PRESENTATION©Austin Energy. All rights reserved. Austin Energy and the Austin Energy logo and combinations thereof are trademarks of Austin Energy, the electric department of the City of Austin, Texas. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. ITEM09/14-PRESENTATION