Thank you, Henry! This is an excellent, comprehensive letter.
Diana Lett
Vice President
Feldman's Neighborhood Association
On Thu, Aug 19, 2021 at 8:29 AM <henry.werchan@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I submitted my disapproval of the proposed TEP power lines. I slightly
reworded the narrative. I find it comical that if you were to send a hard
copy, you are required to submit 25 copies!
Regards,
Henry
I object to the line siting routes and the proposed overhead lines
selected by TEP as part of the Kino to DeMoss-Petrie Transmission Line
Project for the following reasons:
An overhead project along a gateway corridor, namely Kino and Campbell
Avenue, is expressly forbidden by Tucson city ordinances.
An overhead project conflicts with the UA Area Plan (UAP) and Plan Tucson,
both adopted plans governing the development and growth of the Tucson
region.
Some affected neighborhoods are designated as a National Historic
Districts and two neighborhoods are Neighborhood Preservation Zones
(NPZ’s). Citizens worked for years to actuate these safeguards to protect
the unique historic Tucson neighborhoods.
The presence of residential neighborhoods adjacent to or directly within
the proposed route will lead to loss of property value. TEP cites studies
that show the devaluation of private property from overhead lines can reach
10% when within 500-1,000ft of the proposed right-of-way.
Tucson values its unique character, vibrant city neighborhoods, and
thoughtful growth, as reflected in numerous development codes, ordinances,
and area and neighborhood plans and by scenic gateway routes such as
Kino/Campbell. To allow these massive overhead lines runs completely
against these longstanding values.
The cost to TEP to underground is negligible, estimated to be 2/100th of
the most current 6.8 % rate increase, about 14cents/month per customer.
There has been strong disapproval from many neighborhoods of the selected
route since its initial proposal. A coalition comprised of nine
neighborhoods and two other interest groups, representing some 20,000+
residents, have formed an alliance to protest the overhead lines.
One of the current “selected routes”, 1B, exiting the substation, is next
to a hospital, near churches, and a school, directly bisects a historic
district – the heart of a residential neighborhood, and runs right next to
a longterm care facility, all “sensitive receptors” as defined by TEP.
No neighborhood should bear the brunt of providing an upgraded electrical
system to the urban core, nor be expected to shoulder the enormous needs of
large entities, such as The University of Arizona, Banner Health, and other
organizations which continue to erect buildings and infrastructure in the
surrounding areas.
The latest, eleventh hour added “alternate route”-5A, was long ago
rejected due to the number of “sensitive receptors” and neighborhoods it
would damage. The exit route, A, proceeds right down a neighborhood street
between homes. The eleventh-hour community input meetings in August will be
fraught with controversy. TEP has not been consistent with its process.
For Tucson Electric Power to continue to insist on routes and overhead
lines that clearly have long-term injurious effects on many citizens and,
ultimately, to the entire city, is intolerable.
It is critical that the very real concerns of the literally thousands of
residents who will be affected by this project be taken into consideration.
It is imperative that the upgraded utilities be undergrounded to preserve
the unique character and charm of Tucson.
-----Original Message-----
From: DoNotReply@xxxxxxxx <DoNotReply@xxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2021 8:23 AM
To: henry.werchan@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Public Comment
Henry Werchan,
Thank you. The Commission’s Utilities Division has received your comment
for review. It is the Commission’s objective to review comments as quickly
as possible.
This message was sent from an unmonitored email address. Please do not
reply to this message.