03/14/1990 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING March 14, 1990 point -of -view the power line is in the wrong place. Art Hawkins, property owner where the power lines are now sitting addressed the board. He stated that he has met with UPA representatives four times. All the proposals presented to him would add taller, bigger poles adjacent to our property. In fact, Mr. Hawkins feels the power line sits in the nicest area of the property. Every time he met with UPA they were not willing to admit that the land value would decrease. They played down and minimized the fact that there is a health issue. Mr. Hawkins stated that it has become a civic duty as a property owner that he play a game of bargaining. Mr. Miller brought up the fact that eventually County Road J will be improved. Mr. Miller felt it is a good probability that additional right -of -way will be required. Mr. Miller asked should a power line be rebuilt in an existing right -of- way only to be removed within less than five years? And, who pays for it? Patrick Cairns stated that if and when County Road J is widened, that State Aid funds may be available. Mr. Kens went on to say that moving the line 1/4 mile in order for it to be in an industrial area in White Bear Township would be a substantial cost. The UPA has to conduct business in an economical way. He said that he cannot justify moving the power line to White Bear Township. Anoka Electric Cooperative is a cooperative that if the cost to them goes up, the cost to the resident with AEC will also go up. Dan McConna, Manager of Environment and Land for UPA discussed the health issue due to living near the power lines. According to Science, the UPA is being told that there is no evidence that the power line possesses a threat to owners living near the power lines. Although he did admit that the media has painted a bad picture. He went on to say that it is presently unclear what type of affect it may have on you being near any magnetic field and electrical devices. The UPA can only tell you what the studies have shown. Studies have been done with both animals and humans, and no adverse affects have been shown. Mr. McConna said that it may even be harmful to be in the council chambers with the amount of light in the room. No one is sure of its link to cancer. The main problem is the media has a tendencies to dramatized this issue, and that does affect the market value. The New York Supreme Court had a case involving 60 land owners. The land owners said that their property value was reduced, and asked that the power authority pay the Page 7