Hearings set on zoning changes for electrical substations

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 14 authorized hearings on a zoning amendment for electrical substations.

The Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16, and the Board of Supervisors hearing will be on Dec. 9.

According to the board meeting documents, new rules are needed because most new electrical substations are associated with the development of data centers.

Under the changes proposed by the Zoning Administration Division, electrical substations would no longer be allowed by right in industrial zones I-3, I-4, I-5, and I-6. Instead, a zoning special exception would be required in those areas.

A special exception is already required for substations in residential and commercial zones; that would not change.

Related story: Residents concerned about Dominion’s substation project

The amendment on substations would also add specific standards for setbacks and screening, including landscaping and a “visually solid fence or wall.”

The standards would apply to new substations and, in certain cases, when an existing substation is expanded.

A noise study would be required as part of a special exception application or prior to site plan approval for an electrical substation that abuts a residential zone.   

Although Fairfax County regulates the location of electrical substations, the State Corporation Commission regulates transmission lines that are 138kV or above. As a result, an application for a new substation could require approval by the SCC.

The SCC is currently reviewing a proposal for a transmission line to serve the Edsall Substation, which is planned for a data center at the Plaza 500 site on Edsall Road.

Related story: Community urged to oppose huge power lines for a data center