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October 27, 2022 PC Minutes Page 2 be used for training purposes. The applicant is requesting to amend their conditional use permit (CUP) to allow for exterior storage of outdoor facilities, a variance to allow for training transmission lines to exceed the maximum 50-foot building height allowed in the Business Park (BP) zoning district, and an easement vacation to gain access to drainage and utility easements over wetlands the applicant is proposing to fill. Staff comprehensively reviewed the applications submitted by Xcel Energy and determined that overall, the applicant’s plans meet the standards outlined in City Code and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The original CUP allows for the exterior storage of training facilities, provided that they are adequately screened from view. The site is surrounded by mature wooded areas to the west and south, creating a buffer from nearby residential areas, and the proposed building will provide screening to the facilities from the road. Staff is of the opinion that the request meets the requirements to approve a CUP amendment. Additionally, the requested variance is to allow for the training transmission lines to exceed the maximum building height of 50 feet, and the provided screening along with the fact that similar utility poles exist throughout the city, staff found that the request met requirements to approve a variance. There are approximately 0.39 acres of wetland on the property, which the applicant is proposing to fill creating space for stormwater i nfiltration basins, negating the need for the City to maintain a drainage and utility easement over the wetlands, and meeting the requirements to approve the requested easement vacation. Staff recommended approval of the applicant’s site plan, CUP amendment, variance, and easement vacation applications. Members of the applicant’s development team were in attendance. Tim Mauseth, Real Estate Specialist with Xcel Energy, addressed the Planning Commission, stating that safety and training have become critical to the company’s value, and that his team was available to answer questions. Commissioner Arcand asked how many of the proposed utility poles will reach a height of 105 feet. Mauseth responded that one structure will reach 105 feet, with the remainder of the utility poles ranging in height from 40-70 feet. Commissioner Andress asked if lights are required on the utility poles, to which Mauseth responded that they are no. Commissioner Andress asked about the typical usage and traffic with trainees coming to the facility. Mauseth says that the transmission lines and substation will be used 3 -4 times throughout the year, with about 90 employees. The new building will be used throughout the year, with 65 -120 employees coming through day-to-day. Mauseth stated that there will be a surge in uses in the fall and the spring, for roughly two weeks each, to support in -processing of up to 300 employees. Commissioner Arcand asked how many additional permanent employees will be assigned to the new facility. Doug Barber, Director of Nuclear Maintenance & Technical and Energy Supply Training at Xcel Energy, stated that 15-20 employees will be permanently stationed in Hugo, with between 100 and 200 trainees cycling in and out. Commissioner Andress asked if the trainees wo uld be coming in from local areas. Barber responded that for the majority of the year the trainees would be from Minnesota,