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requiring underground service remain intact and still be able to provide the service at a <br />reasonable additional cost to the school system. From that meeting, they agreed on the <br />alternative of this item. They think they have an acceptable plan, which will allow the school <br />system to continue its schedule to have the middle school finished on time. <br />Craig Benedict showed an enlarged aerial photo of this area and described the new <br />routing of electrical lines and poles. There will have to be some tree removal on the school <br />property for the new routing. This is still consistent with the special use permit. <br />At the corner of the Orange County park, the line would take a 90-degree turn and go <br />south. There is a vernal pool and the lines would not go through this, but would go over it. In <br />the future, if there are any thoughts for underground lines on the park property, they would <br />suggest that the lines be routed around the pool to the east and then back to the concession <br />stand. At this point, the service to the middle school would go underground. <br />If the Board were so inclined to allow overhead lines an the Orange County park <br />property, the EDD design standards would be amended for the site plan for the Orange County <br />park. If so, then easements can be dedicated by Orange County to give to Duke Power to <br />locate the overhead lines. There are time constraints because of the construction schedule of <br />the school. There is a resolution, which is on page three of the abstract. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked some clarifying questions that were answered by Craig <br />Benedict. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked if it was recommended that the EDD manual be changed <br />to be specific so that all service lines would be underground, but sub feeder and transmission <br />lines would be above ground. Craig Benedict said that they are suggesting at this time to <br />resolve the issue at hand and then work an the manual at a later time. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that it is interesting that the County is much more <br />concerned about the vernal pools than the original owners of this property that literally <br />destroyed it with tree removal equipment. He asked if there were any provisions in N.C law to <br />protect rare animal and plant species and Craig Benedict said that this is a question for <br />Forestry. He thinks that the best management practices in forestry need to be reviewed to have <br />more in depth investigations. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that a member of the OCS Board was quoted in the press <br />and she claimed that the power lines were a health hazard to children. County Engineer Paul <br />Thames said that the latest scientific documentation says that these lines do not represent a <br />health hazard. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked Environment and Resource Conservation Director Dave <br />Stancil about whether this proposal is consistent with his department's analysis and Dave <br />Stancil said yes. They walked the property boundary last week and there is still a significant <br />oak hickory forest and the vernal pool probably does not support the same sort of habitat that it <br />did previously. Over time, if the property remains undisturbed, then successful vegetation will <br />allow that to change. They wanted to try to avoid placement of any electrical poles in the vernal <br />pool area. They did not address underground lines, but they can. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that on page 10 there is a jog at the top of the map where <br />the trees are, but the current map has the line going right through the trees. He asked why it is <br />straight and said that he would like to jog it at the northwest corner. Craig Benedict said that <br />this was based on a conversation with DOT and Duke Power. The final orientation will be the <br />least intrusive as possible in this area. DOT is concerned about having a pole on their right-of- <br />wayand within the roadside recovery area. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he is concerned about having very clear price quotes in <br />advance for underground lines to the County. He would like to know how Duke Power would <br />propose to maintain the right-of-way and whether they are going to use chemicals. He would <br />not leave it up to their judgment as to where the poles go. He would be more comfortable if <br />ERCD was in every discussion with the staff and Duke Power. <br />