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Council previews easement that would relocate poles, remove two oaks at Somerfield Park to serve middle school expansion
Summary
Council reviewed Ordinance 2026‑12 (first reading) to grant Dominion Energy an easement across Somerfield Park to accommodate Old Edgefield Road widening tied to a North Augusta Middle School expansion; presenters said two large oak trees would be removed but replaced on property outside the new right‑of‑way and that undergrounding poles was cost‑prohibitive.
The North Augusta City Council on June 8 reviewed Ordinance 2026-12, a first‑reading request to grant an easement to Dominion Energy across city property that includes Somerfield Park so power infrastructure can be reconfigured to support a North Augusta Middle School addition and associated road work.
City Administrator Jim Clifford and Parks/Planning staff said the request is driven by the school district’s plan to add a building adjacent to the existing middle school. Rick Meyer (Parks/Planning) and district engineers described South Carolina Department of Transportation requirements to widen Old Edgefield Road for added turn lanes; the work will shift the edge of pavement and requires Dominion to relocate at least five poles along the west side of Old Edgefield Road. Presenters said the relocation will result in two poles and associated easement infringing into a portion of Somerfield Park and that, as a result, two large oak trees adjacent to the pump house and fence line will be removed.
"There's only two power poles that really affect Somerfield Park," the presenter said. "When they relocate the poles, they'll be between the sidewalk and Somerfield Park fence. And that'll push the right-of-way into a portion of the park." He added that the school superintendent "already has plans to replace both these trees on property that will be outside of the new power line right-of-way."
Council members asked about timing, park impacts and whether burying lines (undergrounding) was an option. Tilden Hildebrand and Michael Jara with the school district said tree removal could be scheduled prior to road construction and that pole relocation distances were dictated by DOT. On undergrounding, presenters said Dominion assessed the possibility but that the three‑phase configuration, multiple roadway crossings and feeder lines would sharply increase cost and complexity. "It just snowballed in cost… it's in the hundreds of thousands of dollars," a presenter said.
Presenters said the city would not be conveying fee‑simple property — only an easement — and that the school district would need to give up some right‑of‑way for the road widening. Staff noted plans for a front entrance and on‑site stacking for pickup/drop‑off to remove on‑street queuing.
Ordinance 2026-12 appears on the council packet as a parks & recreation item because it affects Somerfield Park, but staff emphasized the easement is intended to serve the school project. The hearing included questions from council members about private property near the project, pedestrian safety and coordination with Dominion and DOT. The study session did not include a vote; the easement is on the council’s upcoming regular meeting agenda for future consideration.
What’s next: Staff offered to supply additional photos and cost estimates for the undergrounding alternative ahead of the council’s consideration at a subsequent meeting.
