ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 11, 1996 TAG: 9607110041
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: ELISSA MILENKY STAFF WRITER
An American Electric Power Co. substation will be built within the Toms Creek Basin, but on a smaller scale than previously proposed.
Blacksburg Town Council voted 4-2 in favor of the substation Tuesday after the power company agreed to several concessions to address the concerns of nearby residents. Those changes include reducing the heights on some of the structures, additional landscaping, a black vinyl-coated fence and a lower voltage level that limits the size of the substation.
During the last few months of discussion about the project, the power company has asserted the substation is needed to meet increasing demands for electricity.
The north Blacksburg, Prices Fork, Merrimac and Cambria stations have reached the saturation point and continued growth is expected with the Pheasant Run, Spring Valley, Hemlock and Deer Croft subdivisions, according to a report provided to the town.
Power company officials have stressed that any delay in the January 1997 target date for the opening of the new substation would jeopardize service to the area. They also have maintained there is no other feasible site.
"We certainly feel the station will improve electric service and increase reliability," said Ted Aaron, district manager for Montgomery and Floyd counties.
The site of the new substation, however, is within the Toms Creek Basin - a largely undeveloped rural area of town. Several neighbors of the proposed substation spoke against the project at previous meetings, saying it would destroy the area's natural beauty. They also questioned whether an alternative site could be found.
Town Council members wanted the power company to look at burying the new and existing power lines underground to reduce the negative visual impact - an option power company officials have said is too expensive. The company did agree, however, to bury portions of two power lines.
Councilmen Michael Chandler and Lewis Barnett voted against the substation Tuesday night, largely because the possibility of underground lines was not thoroughly explored.
Some neighbors who previously urged Town Council to vote against the power company's request, on Tuesday grudgingly accepted the proposal. Daniel Moneyhun, who owns property next to the substation site, said the power company could simply condemn some of his land and push the project into the county.
In that case, he said, the town and the neighbors would have no control over the appearance of the substation - an assertion echoed by Councilwomen Frances Parsons and Joyce Lewis in explaining their "yes" votes.
Moneyhun and other neighbors of the site urged Town Council to ensure that the concessions are actually met and that the area remain as attractive as possible.
"I feel like we've fought it to the fullest extent that we can," said Moneyhun's wife, Elizabeth. "I can't say I'm happy or in support of it but I do appreciate the concessions that were made."
Several residents of the nearby Laurel Ridge neighborhood, however, vehemently spoke against the substation Tuesday night and said the changes were not enough.
Bob Beaton said the visual quality "in this most pristine area of the Toms Creek Basin" would destroy the only public access point to Brush Mountain and devalue the surrounding property. He also sited the possible health risks of exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
"The devaluation [of property] in my opinion traces directly to the installation of the substation and its aerial lines," said Beaton, whose presentation was greeted by applause from a contingent of Laurel Ridge residents.
Mayor Roger Hedgepeth said he understood the community's environmental concerns but said the need for electricity is the primary concern.
"The power company does not have a choice of supplying power or not supplying power," he said.
LENGTH: Medium: 78 linesby CNB