The Lakewood Board of Adjustment voted 6–0 Dec. 3 to approve a major variance allowing Xcel Energy to rebuild the perimeter fence at the utility substation at 898 S. Wadsworth Boulevard up to 10 feet in height.

Xcel representative Lisa Foster told the board that "Xcel Energy seeks approval for our variance to increase the chain link fence height from 7 feet to 10 feet tall" and that the proposal uses a smaller, 1‑inch mesh and heavier‑gauge material to deter intrusion. Foster said the work would take place within the existing property line and estimated construction would start in late 2025 or early 2026 and last about six months.

Paul Rice, planner with Community and Sustainability Development, summarized staff review and the public-notice process and recommended approval. Rice said the site is roughly five acres and the substation has been present in some form since about 1955; staff noted they sent 579 mailings to nearby property owners and received two comments on Lakewood Speaks, both generally supportive with some landscaping suggestions.

During public comment, resident Roland Bender of 7255 W. Kentucky Ave. said he "has no problem with the 10 foot fence" but warned of neighborhood impacts if the fence were extended around the site, including loss of access for vegetation and firefighting, prior fires in the gulch, people camping in the area, and the possibility of vehicles or diesel storage on site. Foster responded that Xcel has "a team" for vegetation management and offered contact information, and she stated there would be "no diesel trucks stored on-site." She also said there would be no barbed wire on top of the new fence, explaining that increased height is intended to replace barbed‑wire deterrents.

Evan Singleton, land‑use counsel with Spencer Fane for Xcel, told the board that under "the FERCNRC standards" Xcel maintains internal security policies vetted by third parties and that "this smaller mesh 10 foot chain fence is actually more difficult to scale and a better deterrent, than the existing barbed wire fences." Singleton said the company is replacing barbed wire with the smaller‑mesh fence across other sites in the state.

Board member Greg Lewinis moved to approve the variance (case listed in the record as VM25Dash0006 / VM250006) and the motion passed by roll call: six ayes, zero nays. Chair announced that an approval allows Xcel to apply for permits immediately and congratulated the applicant.

The decision is final as made by the Board of Adjustment; staff noted that if Xcel sought to extend the fenced footprint in the future, that change would require a new public hearing.

Authorities and case details cited in the hearing included the Lakewood zoning code sections read into the record by the applicant (transcript references to ‘‘section 17.7 0.8 0.2’’ and table ‘‘17.7 0.4’’ and relief under ‘‘section 17.1 0.7 0.1’’) and federal reliability standards (NERC and FERC).