Ideas for Underground Padmount Transformer Area We must have unimpeded 24 hours a day/7 days a week access to the units for conducting routine maintenance and repairs as well as rapid switching during outage conditions. Just as blocking a fire hydrant is a safety hazard, so is blocking access to electrical equipment. For questions regarding the ideas presented here you may contact any of the names listed below within the Vegetation Management Department: Wil Ortiz (Manager of Vegetation Management) 704 220-0717 Carrie Lorenz-Efird (Senior Utility Forester) 704 289-3145 ext. 3291
Our Requirements for 24/7 Access
Access to the Unit
Idea 1: Removable Section of Fence (metal) Fence Section Resting On Hinges (easily removed and re-attached by Worker
Idea 2: Removable Section of Fence (wood) Wood beam easily detaches from posts
Idea 3: Building Property Boundary Fence to Place Unit On the Outside of Maintained Yard Member Simply Mulches Area
Idea 4: Hinged Access Door (metal fence) Gate on Hinges Unit opens out. There s enough room for all Utilities to access equipment.
Idea 5: Planting low growing (shorter than the height of the unit) vegetation at least 5 ft away from the unit in any direction (perennial flowers work best) as well as appropriate groundcover vegetation
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) Height: 24 to 36 inches Idea 6: Planting Perennial Plants Description: Shasta Daisies are all-time favorites for the perennial border/garden. The cheery flowers begin to appear in late spring and continue on for several months if faithfully deadheaded. A plant that is easily grown in average, well-drained soils in full sun. Attributes: Good cut flower, attracts butterflies, suitable for dried flowers, plants serve as butterfly nectar sources Good Companion Plants: Shasta Daisy looks nice planted with Coreopsis, Dianthus, Balloon Flower, Catmint, Daylily, Siberian Iris, Lupine, Garden Phlox, Sedum, Yarrow and Delphinium. Care: Remove spent flowers. In spring, remove all dead foliage and cut back to basal foliage in fall. Cuttings can be done in summer and division can be done in the spring and is recommended every 2-3 years.
Idea 6 (continued): Planting Perennial Plants Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) Height: 24 to 36 inches Bloom: Late spring and throughout the summer months. Water: Drought tolerant Light requirements: Full sun to part shade Features: Beautiful perennial flower. This is a great flower to plant in masses in front of evergreen shrubs. Sometimes people confuse this flower with Echinacea, which has a very similar shape. A very popular flower in many geographic locations.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis) Idea 6 (continued): Planting Perennial Plants Height: 1 to 4ft Soil and Light: adapt to a wide range of soil and light conditions Features: produce numerous flower buds that are showy over a long period. Daylilies are rugged, adaptable, vigorous perennials that endure in a garden for many years with little or no care. They establish quickly, grow vigorously, and survive winters with little or no injury. Some of the newer varieties have flowers that open in the evening and remain open until the evening of the following day. Many of these night blooming plants are delightfully fragrant. There are many varieties, a wide range of flower colors, and the flowers continue during the heat of the summer. Daylilies are useful in the perennial flower border, planted in large masses, or as a ground cover on slopes, where they form a dense mat in just a few years.
Idea 7 : Planting short growing ornamental grasses NOTE: If planted in front of door it must be a minimum of 5 feet away. Panicum virgatum Shenandoah (Shenandoah switchgrass) Height x width: 2-3ft x 2ft Growth rate, habit: slow, upright Foliage: the real trait of this plant, dark purple cast and reddish tips through the summer, burgundy in fall, wheat-colored in winter Flowers: red airy open panicles above foliage, subtle, summer Soil:prefers moist, fertile, well-drained but will tolerate most from dry to boggy occasionally Light: full sun, may tolerate some shade with less coloring Pests and problems:none serious Landscape habit, uses: natural prairie gardens, borders, specimen or massed; combine in front of blue-leaved switchgrass, interplantedwith blue oat grass, blue perennial geraniums, tickseed, echinops Other interest: species is native to U.S. tall-grass prairies PennisetumRedhead Mature Height: 3 feet Mature Spread :12-24 inches Soil Type: Widely Adaptable Moisture: Widely Adaptable Mature Form :Upright Growth Rate :Moderate Sun Exposure: Full Sun Flower Color: Mahogany, Red Seed Head Fall Color: Gold Foliage Color: Green