Orono_Route_Permit_Application - Docket # W002/TL-11-223

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Page 1 oft Sedarski, Joseph G From: Melanie Curtis [MCurtis@ci.orono.mn.us} Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 12:21 PM To: Sedarski, Joseph G; Rogers, Christopher C Subject: FW: Xcel Orono High Voltage Substation and Transmission Importance: High One more. Melanie Curtis I 952.249.4627 I mctarUsCr4ci.orono,mn.us From: melissafogelberg@weilsfargo,com (ma !Ito: mel issafagelberg@welisfargo.com] Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 11:38 AM To: Lill McMillan; Doug Franchot (doug@franchotassociates.com); Jessica Loftus; Jessica Loftus; Mike Gaffron; Lin Vee; Melanie Curtis; Jim White; Cynthia Bremer; Jim Murphy Omurphy@goldengate.net); Doug Franchot; III!4mayor@GMAIL.COM; Cynthia Bremer(cynthia.bremer@ogietreedeakins.com) Cc: michael.kuruvilia@att.net; Peter@systemsupportsolutions.com; pwfraser@GMAIL.COM; pfogelberg@GMAIL.COM Subject: Xcel Orono High Voltage Substation and Transmission Importance: High Ladies and Gentlemen: I have great concern about the proposed Xcel Orono substation and am, therefore, writing to request that the city accept jurisdiction over Xcei's application for a conditional use permit. It appears to me that the pivotal consideration in approving or denying the application is whether the conditional use would be consistent with the City of Orono Community Management Plan. The Plan includes important considerations such as whether the proposed use would be compatible with the surrounding area as it is presently used, would be consistent with the character of the surrounding area, would be consistent with buildings and site improvement in the surrounding area, would impair use and enjoyment of surrounding property or have a material adverse impact on property values in the area, would take into account the natural and scenic features of the area and minimize environmental impact and would not be detrimental to the general welfare. The factors included in the Man express the values and priorities of the residents of the community. Who is better suited that than the city itself to determine whether the application is consistent with the Community Management Plan? Certainly the Public Utilities Commission does not have the familiarity with the above factors that the city does. Nor does the PUG have a stake in the impact of the substation on the Orono community. As it has been explainer] to me, the substation is being built for the benefit and convenience of Xcel and communities west of Orono. No one in Orono gains any benefit from the substation and power lines. It's not just adjacent homeowners who would be negatively affected by the substation --all residents have an interest in insuring that the Plan is respected so that the quality of life in the community is not harmed. Furthermore, to the extent the substation depresses property values, it also diminishes the tax mase of the city. All of these things should be of substantial concern to the community and, therefore, to the City Council. In nay judgment, the City Council has a responsibility to its citizens not to relinquish control to the PUC. Instead, the council owes if to its citizens to retain control in order to ensure that their interests are carefully considered in the application review process. 1, unfortunately, will be unable to attend tonight's meeting. I am committed to participate in a Wills for Heroes clinic in Hopkins, which 1 cannot change. This is a program administered by the state bar association under which volunteer attorneys write wills and other estate planning documents for first responders. The fact that I am not at tonight's council meeting does not mean the issue on the agenda is not of tremendouU importance. Thank you for your consideration Melissa Fogelberg 1/4/2011