An email circulating in North Hill:
In the last few weeks, we have discovered an planned re-routing of high
voltage transmission lines by Gulf Power to new locations running along the perimeter of the historic district in some cases. These transmission lines are planned to allow for an upgrade in capacity allowing for greater voltages, as they explain, to feed additional demand by downtown and the area.
The poles planned will be, once installed, approximately 97 feet in height and have a diameter at the base of 3 feet. Based on the proposed spacing, there would almost definitely be a pole in each block and in some cases could be more than one. We are including here both an image of the type of pole being planned and the proposed route for your review.
Some of the concerns over the current proposed route include:
1. The scale and height of the transmission lines is one typically reserved for corridors with higher traffic counts and overall more commercial applications where the inclusion of this industrial aesthetic has less of an impact on the streetscape.
2. Negatively affected property values.
3. Ensuring safety from high winds.
4. Challenges from characteristic high frequency hum typical of high voltage transmission lines.
5. Why the greenfield re-routing instead of upgrading the existing lines?
6. Exposure to high voltage transmission.
Because Gulf Power apparently has concluded there is little requirement for civic participation and comment, the public notification process has apparently been designed to be short, quick, and limited to the exact route and not to others effected residents in the vicinity nor to property owners with parcels that “back up” to the proposed route. Very little opportunity for requesting additional information and explanation has been given to those affected and no public hearings concerning such a major re-routing have been scheduled.
The project is scheduled to move along at a rapid pace (construction planned to begin August 11) without acknowledging the severe impact to the affected homes, streetscapes and local property values.
Tuesday evening , August 5, Gulf Power representatives will be available for a meeting with local residents at the Eddie Todd Building at 321 N. Devilliers (corner of Belmont and DeVilliers Street) in the Belmont Devilliers District for a public meeting concerning the project. We will be getting the time out as soon as we are notified.
We strongly encourage anyone who can to attend and give their input on the project and the expected effects on our area.
We are providing below the phone numbers for your City Council Representatives and an email contact for John Hutchinson, the Gulf Power spokesperson. We are reaching out to the Florida Public Service Commission asking for assistance and options concerning this proposed intrusion and are researching other options.
Please participate immediately by contacting Gulf Power with your comments at jlhutchi@southernco.com and letting our City Council representatives hear your input. (Please copy our NHPA email with any correspondence you sent at president@historicnorthhill.com.)
Jewel Cannada-Wynn Home (850)434-0819
jcannada-wynn@ci.pensacola.fl.us
Mike Wiggins Office (850) 438-6109
Home (850) 477-9303
mwiggins@ci.pensacola.fl.us
Jack Nobles Office (850) 436-7800
Home (850) 434-7121
jnobles@ci.pensacola.fl.us
The Florida Public Service Commission can also be contacted at www.psc.state.fl.us and comments can be lodged.
We appreciate everyone’s assistance and will keep you posted as to any pertinent developments.
Sincerely,
North Hill Preservation Association