Duke Energy seeks setback and height variances for Florida Development Road substation expansion amid neighbor concerns

Polk County staff introduced LDLVAR202648, a request from Duke Energy (represented by Pape-Dawson engineer Rebecca Hammock and Duke project staff) to reduce the required substation equipment setback from residential property lines from 100 feet to 50 feet and to increase lightning-mast height allowances from 50 feet to 70 feet to accommodate an expansion at 1800 Florida Development Road.

Staff said the substation pre-dates recent development and is buffered by developer-planted landscaping and an opaque fence; staff recommended approval, noting the effective separation between the substation and the nearest homes would remain about 100 feet when measured from proposed equipment to residential structures. Rebecca Hammock told the hearing that lighting, operational noise and other measures will comply with county standards and said the operational noise at the property line is expected to be no more than 54 decibels, "which in comparison is about the same decibel level as a household refrigerator." She also said Duke had sent public notices and would install a utility buffer along the property frontage if the project moves forward.

Several nearby residents, represented at the hearing by Hector and Marilyn Santos, raised concerns that utility poles and equipment had previously been placed on or very near their property and said restoration work had not fully addressed damage. Marilyn Santos said, "They came, they cut off trees without consents," and asked the county to help facilitate a meeting. Duke representatives, including Tara Pickens from stakeholder engagement, acknowledged past communication gaps, described restoration efforts and provided contact information to resolve property-specific disputes outside the variance hearing. The hearing officer closed the public hearing and said he would issue a written order within seven to ten days.