Frisco Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to deny a request for a specific use permit for a substation by Oncor Electric Company for a substation on Legacy Drive.

Most of the commissioners sided with the many residents who have expressed opposition for several months on the proposed substation.

Concerns ranged from public safety, the close proximity to Allen Elementary and health risks. One main concern was that homeowners received no indication that area could be used for utilities.

"The residents were here first," Commissioner Rob Cox said. "When people bought their houses there they didn't know a substation could be going in there."

Residents also said there are other alternative sites Oncor can choose from for the substation. Commissioner Will Russell said he preferred to see the substation on 4th Army Drive near an existing substation and a water treatment plant.

Other commissioners echoed the same concerns and said they believe there are other alternatives. Commissioner Rick Williamson voted in favor of the proposed site.

Jill Alvarez with Oncor said the site on Legacy Drive was a preferred because it is out of floodplains, directly adjacent from existing transmission lines, closer to delivery points and there were no added costs to place it there.

Oncor representatives said the electrical demand in Frisco will go up 40 percent in the next four years as a result of new developments on the $5 Billion Mile, such as The Star in Frisco, the site of the Dallas Cowboys' new world headquarters. The demand is also a result of Plano's Legacy Business Park.

Oncor is required by law to provide electricity to all customers in all service areas.

"We want to thank the Frisco Planning and Zoning Commission for the opportunity to talk about the critical infrastructure needed to support a growing and prosperous Frisco," Oncor spokesperson Geoff Bailey said in a statement after the vote. "We also appreciate the potential opportunity to continue this discussion further with the Frisco City Council. Oncor looks forward to continuing our public dialogue with city stakeholders and residents on alternative substation locations here in Frisco."

Jamie Heit, who heads the Frisco Families Against Oncor Substation protest group, said she understands the growing need for electricity and power in Frisco but believes there are other solutions.

"There are alternatives that better meet zoning requirements and better appease thousands of residents opposing this site," Heit said. "I truly believe we can all come to a compromise where we all come out as winners."

Oncor has 14 days to appeal the commission's decision to Frisco City Council.

Read a previous story on the proposed substation here.