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Board declines to approve AEP easements as presented, requests alternate routing options
Summary
Appalachian Power asked the board to approve right-of-way easements to support reliability upgrades and distribution work; after local concerns about pole placement and impacts to recreational trails, the motion to approve the easements as presented failed on roll-call and AEP agreed to return with alternate routing.
Appalachian Power representatives returned to the board to report on right-of-way staking and to request approval of easements needed for transmission and distribution upgrades. The company said the easements would strengthen reliability and allow clearance for new lines while also replacing hazard poles.
Board members expressed concern that the proposed corridor would place poles across valued recreational spaces and asked whether the route could be adjusted to avoid future conflicts with park facilities and planned amenities. One supervisor suggested routing more along Commerce Street; others asked AEP to explore alternate alignments and to meet with county distribution engineers.
A motion to approve the easements as presented was made and seconded. The roll-call vote recorded at least one 'aye' (Mister Marshall) and several 'no' votes (Mister Kendrick, Mister Perry, Mister Overby and the chair), and the motion failed. Appalachian Power said it would return with alternate routing options and meet with the county to review alignment concerns.
