Mr. Dan Fisher
TVA Chickamauga-Hiwassee Watershed Team
1101 Market Street PSC 1E
Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801
Via email: dcfisher@TVA.gov
Subject: Comments in response to the TVA notification about BRMEMC application for 2 Acre tract.
The Towns County Homeowners Association (TCHA) is a countywide group of homeowners in Towns County dedicated preservation and improvement of our county and its natural resources. Lake Chatuge and its shoreline is one of the most scenic and valuable of those resources and, as such, we are uniquely sensitive to changes in its environment and use. In dealing with the TVA’s on going Land Management study, we have already commented on the lack of watercraft management and policing with a letter submitted to the TVA Murphy office (copy enclosed) and we are preparing a detailed response to be submitted during this summer’s open comment period. This comment, although also pertinent to the general study is forwarded in response to your notice of May 15, 2008, Subject: TVA notification about BRMEMC application for 2 Acre tract.
Background Information
Before setting forth our position, TVA should be aware that the TCHA is currently and has been for some time working closely with the Blue Ridge Mountain EMC (BRMEMC) on the subject of the location of the proposed substation. We have met with Joe Satterfield and his staff, with Town County Commissioner Bill Kendall and with many other private citizens of the county who have express interest and concern with the proposed location on parcel 52. We are continuing to work with all concerned to achieve a result that all can live with.
While TCHA understands that a new substation serving the southeast part of Towns County is absolutely necessary and that decisions need to be made in a timely manner, we are unconvinced that rushing into the solution currently on the table without a thorough investigation of potential alternatives is the best thing for the County, the Cooperative or the TVA. We take note of the fact that, because much of the early work on the proposal has been done off line and quietly, it is only recently that the general citizenry have become aware of the proposed citing and its impact. That suggests that we need to slow down and make sure that all potential resolutions are fully explored and all citizen concerns are fully addressed. We encourage TVA to relax and let these efforts proceed to a conclusion and their results be transmitted to you prior to moving further ahead with the decision process.
The TCHA Positions
The TCHA strongly opposes the location of an electrical substation on Parcel 52 for the following reasons:
- The proposed site is below the 1933 line and very close to highway 76. Although we recognize that filling can elevate the location, fill dirt is never as stable as undisturbed soil and substation equipment is very heavy. Further, substations, being of their nature aesthetically degrading and potentially dangerous, should be located away from area of heavy use either by traffic or personnel.
- The proposed site is immediately adjacent to the Palmer property including a store and trailer village and across the road from several businesses all of whom have been in their present locations for a long time. These businesses will be adversely impacted by the suggested location and their owners are expressing their concern.
- Parcel 52 is an undeveloped but prime lake front property. It has no business being used for a heavy commercial application when it is more suited for recreational purposes or residential development focused on the lake.
- BRMEMC in the few public discussions they have had, have never highlighted the fact of the requirement for the high voltage power lines which are required to service the substation. These lines are presently planned to come through downtown Hiawassee on large power poles which will add nothing to the ambience of the town nor will they be easily located on the existing paths. TCHA recognizes that any location may require this approach but moving the substation further south would allow the option of running the distribution lines down SR 288. In no condition, would the TCHA support the running of the power lines across the lake and we think that BRMEMC agrees with this.
- To date, BRMEMC has embraced our proposal for the exploration of alternatives and has agreed that, if an alternative site can be found and obtained, to consider such positively even to the extent of incurring additional cost, if not unreasonable. While this effort is underway it will take time. BRMEMC emphasizes the need to move ahead but the issue is important enough to the future of the county to require whatever time it takes to do it right. As of this writing, we have identified several potential parcels further to the south and we are, with the help of Commissioner Kendall, exploring their utility and availability.
- We are further opposed to the proposed deal whereby BRMEMC would develop the remainder of parcel 52 into a park for the City of Hiawassee (see below). As a consumer financed public utility, BRMEMC has no business spending utility funds on improvements to public property. In addition, the locating of a park where children and adults will play and relax next to a large electrical power substation invites unnecessary potential safety issues.
The TCHA also opposes the leasing of this parcel or any part thereof to the City of Hiawassee for a public park and boat ramp for the following reasons:
- The property is not within the city limits.
- The City already has a piece of property on the lake about one half mile north of this parcel which they have attempted to develop with poor results and which is largely unused.
- If the City has money for a park, then they should first consider spending it to upgrade the park on the City Square before starting another project and leaving two others unfinished.
- The TCHA is strongly opposed to any new boat ramps or extension of existing ones until effective policing and watercraft use management is established on Lake Chatuge. This subject will be fully addressed in our formal response to the Land management Study later this summer and has already been brought to the attention of the Authority in the letter mentioned in the first paragraph above.
As an appropriate use for this property the TCHA endorses and encourages the TVA to lease this parcel to Towns County for use as an unlighted soccer field for the youth of the county.
- Today, the county youth soccer teams must share temporary fields with other youth sports, i.e. baseball and softball. There is no dedicated youth soccer field and those that are available are fully used by the high school and the college.
- The county has been searching for apiece of property for this use for several years without success.
- This property is uniquely suited to the soccer field use and the request has the endorsement of Commissioner Kendall.
- The objection to late night play will be handled by leaving the field unlighted.
- The property can be made soccer ready with minimum grading and fencing plus the installation of suitable parking for which there is ample room.
In summary, TCHA advances a recommended use for this property which is the most appropriate. We are also working hard to help the BRMEMC find a location which they can live with and which will further the desire of the County to preserve and maintain the mountain charm of our community. We enlist the support of the TVA in achieving this goal.
Sincerely,
Michael Brock
Member, TCHA Board
Chairman, Substation Issue Committee
Encl.
Ccs:
Mr. Joe Satterfield,
BRMEMC
Mr. Bill Kendall
Commissioner, Towns County
Ms. Barbara Mathis
Mayor, City of Hiawassee
