NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council on Wednesday passed the plat for the Kingpin Substation that will be constructed on land south of 23rd and Lorraine. Though the council didn't necessarily like the idea of what Evergy may build there, there wasn't much they could do, according to City Attorney Paul Brown, as ordinances are currently written.
"The only thing before you is to approve a final plat," Brown said. "That's a ministerial act. Evergy is combining four lots into one. They are entitled to do that. It's not out of the ordinary. The platting process has been followed. Really, that would be the only issue. I understand you've been lobbied by neighbors adjoining to the tract. None of those matters raised by them have anything to do with this plat and this is the only thing before you. You're not approving projects. You're not approving zoning. You're not approving anything except a plat. Evergy is entitled to have that approved, just like all the other plats that come before the council."
That answer didn't really satisfy Dan Garber of 1206 East 21st.
"Paul may be correct," Garber said. "However, I've seen city ordinances in other cities that relate to the placement and the effect of electric substations. I'm thinking that cities in the state of Kansas are allowed to have ordinances that pertain to the requirements that are put in there. I guess, we as a neighborhood have been shocked and surprised that this could come in without any public hearings. It feels like it was snuck in and it will impact our property values."
Evergy will likely begin construction on the substation in 2025 and complete it in 2027.
"We're switching over the transmission to Hutchinson to 115 kV from 69 kV," said John Miller, civil engineer with Evergy. "Doing that, we'll end up removing about three substations that are currently within the city. They are at 18th and Plum, 14th and Lorraine and 11th and Halstead."
The plat was approved on a 3-2 vote, with Steve Garza, Stuart Conklin III and Jon Richardson voting in favor and Greg Fast and Stacy Goss voting against.
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