The idea of having a bike path cutting across Dunwoody under the power lines was tossed aside pretty quickly last night at the Comprehensive Plan community meeting because the land is privately owned by homeowners. Ken Thompson then posted this comment on Rick Callahan's new blog:
We could buy it. Ya see, CoD snuck in an additional "Cost of Living in Dunwoody" tax, otherwise known as franchise fees. Now these here franchise fees are a significant part of the city revenue justified by the Georgia Municipal Association as a cost of doing business in the cities that simplifies utility company RoW acquisition yet addresses citizen concerns.
I digress...
Let us suggest that some of this money we collect as franchise fees be used for the GMA stated purpose. Let's purchase either the property under the lines or just an additional easement, or perhaps use the $1-100yr lease approach. If we really have to, we could use our newly minted power of imminent domain...
It is also not unheard of to use these areas. I believe Sandy Springs has some of the Morgan Falls golf course under them (of course that was a land fill and probably not private property). There are also grant programs like Project WINGS--converting rights of way into wildlife habitats.
I wouldn't give up so easily.
So, of course, this got me thinking yet again about that power line space. The Dunwoody PowerPark (or Power Parkway). A multi-use path for bikes, golf carts and pedestrians, with charming neighborhood-based community gardens along the way, and maybe a sand volleyball court at one big spot for our teens and a playground at another spot for our little ones. Benches along the way for resting and visiting for our seniors.
Could we actually work together to do something like this?
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4 comments:
A bit more seriously...
Should someone wish to pursue "Power to the Parks", I would start with Georgia Power. It would be difficult to begin a discussion with property owners until there is an understanding of the rights granted to GaPower under the RoW agreement. Obviously that includes installation of equipment and access for maintenance, and it appears that it includes some land/property maintenance.
This could be a win-win. GaPower comes out ahead by reducing grounds maintenance costs and getting good PR (green-washing), while property owners might receive some money (were their properties bought), a reduction in property taxes and would have something nicer to look at from their decks. The city would gain 'property' and lose taxes, but I'm sure someone with the city has an angle for getting someone else to pick up the tab--outside of franchise fees of course.
Another less ambitious project would be to convert the areas between curbs and the fences of some of our finer, all-but-gated communities, into linear parks. There are a few areas along Roberts and ChamDun (my stomping grounds) that would make nice LPs. And...you could plant fruit trees (apple, pear, etc.) beneath the power lines---they would get more than adequate sun and generally do not grow tall enough to harm the overhead lines.
Or...
Also, got to talking to Danny Ross at the farmers market. He has great ideas about this.
Pattie,
Would each homeowner connected to the power line need to be in agreement for this to happen?
Rick
Yes.
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