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2 <br />Sheila Bishop who lives on Mt. Sinai Road read a prepared statement. She emphasized that the <br />proposed site would mean that all the woodland on one side of her house would be leveled. This land has <br />been in her family for five generations and no amount of money could compensate for what they would <br />suffer. She also presented a list of questions for which she would like for the County Commissioners to <br />obtain answers. <br />Allen Eckhaus lives on Hathaway Lane in Chapel Hill . He asked the County Commissioners to help in <br />any way they can to be sure this line does as little damage as possible. He feels that what they are doing is <br />unfair to the consumer and that they need to change their plans to move ahead with this substation and <br />transmission lines. <br />Carla Graves who lives on Mt. Sinai Road spoke against Route A which is the longest of the four <br />proposed routes. It will have the largest impact on the watershed and runs parallel on top of a small creek. <br />Trees would need to be removed as well as ground cover which will cause erosion. She noted that there <br />are two federally designated wetlands on route A . They have 41-1/2 acres which would be cut in half from <br />front to back. They have many historic sites on this property. The citizens in this area have a lot of <br />concerns and hope that Piedmont Electric will take them seriously. The citizens appreciate any help the <br />County Commissioners can give them. <br />Richard Knapp with Piedmont Electric said that they have had an ongoing planning process. They <br />have determined that they need to upgrade their system. In April they started the process by determining <br />the best place to put the transmission lines and substation. They had a series of meetings to brief people <br />and give them an opportunity to ask questions. The process is ongoing and they appreciate the input that <br />the citizens have given them. They may have a decision as early as next week. <br />Commissioner Brown said that there are many questions that she would like Piedmont Electric to <br />answer. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern about Piedmont Electric not answering all the questions <br />that citizens have. He respectfully asked Piedmont Electric to agree to postpone their decision. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown to ask Piedmont <br />Electric to not to make a decision until the County Commissioners and the citizens receive additional <br />information, specifically on the eight questions asked by the citizens group and other questions from the <br />County Commissioners. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />Planner Mary Willis clarified that there is not a Special Use Permit requirement for power lines. For <br />transmission lines which are greater than 100 kilovolts, there is a Special Use Permit for the substation. <br />This particular line does not exceed the 100 kilovolt and is permitted by right <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked that Piedmont Electric be contacted tomorrow and given the list of <br />questions. <br />PUBLIC CHARGE <br />Chair Crowther dispensed with the reading of the Public Charge. <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Carey expressed a concern about United Way no longer funding the Mental Health <br />Assoc. He feels that without this funding, it leaves a group of people without advocacy and that this is <br />something which needs to be addressed by the community. John Link explained the process that United <br />Way follows in determining which agencies receive funding. <br />