A travesty. An atrocity. A stripmining. Members of the Board of Supervisors used strong words to describe the proposed 230 kilovolt transmission line extension on the Washington & Old Dominion Regional Trail before passing a resolution opposing it on Tuesday, July 6.
Dominion Virginia Power, which owns the easement along the trail, has been investigating the possibility of running power lines over 11 miles from just east of Leesburg to just east of Purcellville. The company estimated that without additional lines, it would not be able to provide reliable service to western Loudoun in cases of extreme weather by mid-2007.
The move would take out 26,000 trees and essentially reduce the secluded, leafy trail to a concrete strip.
A SCORE of residents spoke out against the power line before the supervisors, declaring that the price of damaging the trail would outweigh the price of exploring other options for the power line.
"We chose to come to Loudoun County because of the trail," said Ellen Engleman Connors, of Ashburn. "Without the trail, you won't need the extra power, because people will not move here."
"It's a sanctuary for the people of this county," said Leesburg resident Sandra Luther. "In 20 years, this is going to be our Central Park."
Chairman Scott York presented the resolution opposing the proposed power line. "This will absolutely destroy a very unique commodity that we have in Loudoun County," he said.
The resolution was similar to one passed two weeks ago by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. Supervisor Bruce Tulloch (R-Potomac), who serves as the Loudoun representative on the NVRC, cast the issue as a concern that affects all Northern Virginia residents.
"This is not a Loudoun County issue," Tulloch said. "It is a regional issue because this is a regional park."
Tulloch doubted Dominion’s sincerity in considering other options for the power lines.
"They're not working with the community," he said. "They're dictating to the community."
Supervisor Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) noted that the final decision is made by the State Corporation Commission. "They really don't have to work with us, and they know it."
Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) dissented from the majority, questioning the dollars and cents of the resolution. "Who's going to pay for all those wonderful ideas?" he asked.
The resolution opposing the proposed power line transmission along the W&OD Trail passed with Delgaudio opposing and Supervisor Stephen Snow (R-Dulles) abstaining.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board approved the rezoning of Goose Creek Preserve, a 163.39 acre tract that could hold up to 500 homes. The property is located just south of the Dulles Greenway on the west side of Belmont Ridge Road. The board declined to vote on a rezoning request for Goose Creek Village South, a proposed community of 100 townhouses. The request was sent back to the Land Use Committee because the number of units per acre — approximately seven — was deemed too high.