Critics buzzing about route of power lines

By MELISSA DOMSIC
mdomsic@record-eagle.com

December 02, 2008 09:53 am

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TRAVERSE CITY -- Curt Walsh isn't happy about Traverse City Light & Power's proposal to string power lines on 85-feet-tall poles along the scenic M-72 corridor he calls home.

"It's just stupid," said Walsh, who has about 200 feet of frontage on M-72 in Elmwood Township. "It will be ugly and people travel, they go out to Leelanau County this way -- beautiful, unspoiled Leelanau County -- and you have to go by these big power poles on the way out there?"

His wife, Maggie Dakoske, said she e-mailed Light & Power with her thoughts on the power lines but never heard back.

"I'm extremely disturbed," Dakoske said. "It's just devastating."

Plenty of uncertainties remain over a proposed plan to string upgraded electrical transmission lines along M-72 to Bay Street. Poles would be about 85 to 90 feet tall, twice the height of current poles on M-72.

The public utility needs approval from Elmwood Township to build in that corridor, since it falls within the township. Light & Power officials fear that even with township approval, possible litigation from residents could postpone the project.

"If the board is willing to take that risk, that's where we're headed right now," said Ed Rice, Light & Power executive director at a recent board meeting. "We're going to do everything we can do right now to make (the M-72) option doable."

Rice hoped to begin construction next spring to avoid further risk of power outages with the 50-year-old line.

The new transmission line will provide Light & Power with a second source of electricity by connecting to Wolverine Power Cooperative's proposed substation at the corner of M-72 and Bugai Road in Elmwood Township.

Elmwood Township's permit application requires the project to have completed design and engineering plans. That will cost Light & Power about $250,000, Rice said.

Board member John Welch wants to find out if there's opposition to the route before spending a quarter-million dollars on design and engineering.

"If we don't ask, it's irresponsible," Welch said.

Board members also discussed contacting Elmwood Township officials about a Light & Power public forum.

Newly elected Elmwood Supervisor Jack Kelly wants to learn more about the project.

"I would applaud any effort by Light & Power to hold a meeting here in Elmwood Township to give residents a better understanding to what they're proposing to do," Kelly said. "I don't believe a lot of people know what's being proposed."

But Light & Power board member Mike Coco said he didn't want to hold another forum. The city-owned utility "already bent over backwards" to include the public in transmission line talks, he said.

Light & Power caught heat in fall 2007 while trimming trees for line upgrades along Wayne Street in Traverse City's Slabtown neighborhood. Residents complained the utility did not fully alert or seek comment from them.

That set off more than a year of public meetings and discussions on the best route for the new lines. Board members recently expressed support for going down M-72 in order to avoid the Slabtown neighborhood.

"After going though Wayne Street and having forums after the fact, it can't hurt to take one extra step," said Ralph Soffredine, a Light & Power board member and city commissioner, of a possible forum in Elmwood Township.