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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Bill Wiet, Chief Development Services Officer
DATE: February 6, 2015
SUBJECT:
To authorize ComEd to bury a portion of their proposed 12kv overhead feeder W1133 along Bilter Road from Eola Road west to the Prairie Path. The cost estimate ComEd has provided for the difference to underground the proposed overhead lines in this stretch is $550,000.
PURPOSE:
ComEd's Capacity Planning Engineers have been in discussions with city staff for the past several months on a summer critical project that involves the installation of a new 12kv overhead feeder originating in the vicinity of Eola Road and Bilter Road and heading in an easterly and westerly direction. ComEd has identified areas in and around the northeast portion of the community where future development, and demand, will require additional power being made available. One of the sub-areas for this planned feeder line is the expansion area of Chicago Premium Outlets.
BACKGROUND:
Although adequately served by power, the 12kv feeder will extend along the right-of-way for Lots 502 and 503 of Butterfield Center for Commerce and Industry. These vacant lots combine for approximately 100 acres immediately abutting the Eola Road Interchange ramp. These parcels are poised to be high-end commercial development, which would add to the City's tax base, create jobs and benefit the community as a whole. As seen on the attached photos, this area is free of overhead power lines and presents an inviting intersection where high-end commercial development can materialize. DuPage Properties Venture (DPV), owner of the Butterfield Center for Commerce and Industry, had their electric service lines buried as part of their overall development plan. Given DPV has been proactive on their end, overhead power lines placed along this ROW, not serving their needs, would defeat the purpose of attracting quality development at this interchange. It is therefore recommended to place this feeder line below ground.
DISCUSSION:
ComEd by regulation can only provide overhead power lines to serve its customers. However, they have the ability to bury power lines at a municipality or developer request, and cost. The cost difference in providing overhead versus underground lines is approximately $550,000 according to ComEd. The undergrounding will run approximately 6,000 feet along Bilter Road from Eola Road west to the Prairie Path. The remaining portions of the new feeder lines running east, north and south will be overhead. The work being proposed by ComEd will benefit Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District 8, site of the Chicago Premium Outlets expansion area. According to the TIF Act, projects eligible for TIF funding (including off-site improvements) include the installation, repair, construction, reconstruction, or relocation of streets, utilities and site improvements essential to preparation of the redevelopment area for use in accordance to the redevelopment plan. Bilter Road improvements, partially funded through TIF funds, have ben included in the City's Capital Improvement Plan. Therefore it is being recommended that costs of the undergrounding be through TIF 8 funding. Funds are available in the TIF 8 2015 budget under account number 238-4460-431.73-23 (Capital Outlay-Improvement) for this costs.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The overall electrical upgrades will benefit the community as a whole and this particular 12kv feeder line benefits Chicago Premium Outlets. ComEd will be responsible for future maintenance of this underground feeder.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that ComEd be authorized to bury a portion of their proposed 12kv overhead feeder along Bilter Road from Eola Road west to the Prairie Path, and that the mayor execute the ComEd-Aurora Bilter Road Letter authorizing said work.
cc: Alderman O'Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Peters, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Authorizing ComEd to Bury the Proposed ComEd 12kv Overhead Feeder W1133 Transmission Line Along Bilter Road from Eola Road West to the Prairie Path in an Amount Estimated to be $550,000.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, ComEd is planning to construct a new, overhead, 12kv feeder line along Bilter Road west of Eola Road, as part of a larger project to serve the future needs of customers in the northeast portion of the community, and
WHEREAS, The City of Aurora is considering authorizing ComEd to perform the undergrounding of a portion of the proposed overhead feeder line for the purpose of maintaining high end commercial development in this area, which will add jobs and increase the tax base for the benefit of the entire community; and
WHEREAS, ComEd has indicated that the cost difference between ComEd's least cost standard overhead plan and undergrounding for this area is approximately five hundred fifty thousand dollars ($550,000); and
WHEREAS, the undergrounding of a portion of the proposed 12kv overhead feeder W1133 is a service considered in addition to, different from, or instead of a service which ComEd would otherwise be required to provide; and
WHEREAS, the proposed feeder W1133 transmission is a utility that will benefit Tax Increment Financing District Number 8, therefore is eligible for TIF 8 funding under account number 238-4460-431.73-23 Road Projects (Capital Outlay- Improvements).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: 1. That the resolution authorizing ComEd to bury proposed feeder W1133 along Bilter Road from Eola Road west to the Prairie Path be approved; 2. That the Mayor of the City of Aurora be authorized to execute the ComEd-Aurora Bilter Road Letter attached hereto as Exhibit A, and 3. In accordance with the attached ComEd -Aurora Bilter Road Letter a partial payment of $275,000 is due prior to the start of construction and upon approval of this resolution, and the remaining portion is due upon construction.