12-13-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, December 13, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. (12. #10 -3486 XCEL ENERGY, 3960 SIXTHA VENUE NORTH, Continued) City's criteria, which is pretty vague at this point. Mattick pointed out that this is not a typical land use application and that the PUC is not confined to your typical CUP criteria. Mayor White asked whether Xcel currently has a right -of -way easement along the highway. Chris Rogers indicated it would require additional easements. Rogers stated the plan depicted on the overhead shows the existing line in blue, which is a 115 W line. The red line is the proposed route. Mayor White asked whether the easements would be obtained from the state. Rogers stated the route being proposed would have the poles pretty much along the railroad right -of -way and would involve obtaining private easements. The north/south route is basically a triangular shape and would run on Xcel property until it turns in a northwesterly direction. White pointed out on the overhead the piece of property owned by Xcel. Rogers indicated it is a 16 -acre piece of property and consists largely of woods. • Dassel noted the easements would need to be obtained through condemnation proceedings against the homeowners association. • White concurred that Xcel would need to acquire an easement from the private landowners. Murphy commented that this is similar to the Highway 12 project given the impact on the neighbors. Murphy asked for clarification on the proposed route. Gene Cox stated the blue line is the existing 115 kV line and that the proposed line would go along the route depicted by the red dots. The existing line is currently at capacity. Commencing at Mr. Schoon's property, the three poles would be converted to a single pole structures with a concrete foundation. At that point there would then be a monopole design which will traverse the route of the red dots to the substation and back out. The monopole structures will have wires on each side since they are looping it into the substation and back out. The blue line would become a continuous loop that is severed at the red dot located on Mr. Schoon's property. Rogers stated the last red dot is an existing three pole structure that currently exists on Mr. Schoon's property and Xcel would propose bringing the route in a northeasterly direction to almost the buffer area. The red line would be shifted northeasterly and further away from the private properties, which will help save trees and other vegetation. Murphy asked what the three -pole structure is exactly. Cox indicated it is actually three separate structures and that the existing blue line that goes through Mr. Schoon's property would consist of A -frame structures. Murphy asked what other alternatives were considered. Page 16 of 27 •