Proposed transmission line could affect property sales, Realtor warns
BUCHANAN DAM — A proposed power line that would transmit wind-generated electricity along east Lake Buchanan could hurt real-estate sales if the towers obscure the view, a Realtor says.
IN PHOTO: Danny’s County Diner in Buchanan Dam, 16082 Texas 29 East, may be condemned if a new transmission line is built along the eastern border of Lake Buchanan, according to a lawyer representing residents opposed to the route. Staff photo by Raymond V. Whelan
“Some people will not look at property if it is near power lines,” said Jeanette Martin, RE/Max Lakes and Hills broker and owner “You can be 20 miles away from Lake Buchanan and have your view affected by power lines. We sell a lot of property where people want the view (of the lake), and people will not want those transmission lines in the view.”
The proposed $162 million transmission line, which is a Lower Colorado River Authority project, will transfer wind-generated power from West Texas while crossing the county and going north to Lampasas County.
Controversy has arisen over one of the proposed routes, which could take the lines along the east border of Lake Buchanan.
The state Public Utilities Commission plans to hold a hearing on the project at 9:30 a.m. April 15 in Austin at the William B. Travis Building, 1701 N. Congress Ave.
Because of environmental and safety concerns, state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, has said he will protest the route along the lake’s east side.
“It will affect so many Burnet County residents in a very, very bad way,” Aycock said last week.
The other proposed route would run north of the lake through FM 1478, U.S. 281 and U.S. 183 to Kempner, a proposal favored by Burnet County commissioners and others.
But no matter where the line goes around the lake, it likely will have an impact on real estate sales, according to Martin.
“Power lines built anywhere near Lake Buchanan or Inks Lake will affect the real estate business,” Martin said Monday.
However, because she has potential buyers and clients located near both of LCRA’s proposed routes, she would prefer to remain neutral on where the line should go, Martin added.
Austin attorney Jim Boyle, who represents several residents who own land near the proposed line, has said the route along the east side of Lake Buchanan may affect 164 “habitable structures” compared to no more than 48 along the proposed northern route.
Also, “certain businesses and residences” near the east side of the lake may have to be condemned to make way for the line, including the popular Danny’s Country Diner, according to a brief filed by Boyle.
However, State Administrative Law Judge Wendy Harvel has recommended construction of the line east of Lake Buchanan.
Extension of the line east of the lake “is the better choice” because it would extend along existing right of way, cost less money and would have less of an environmental impact, Harvel said last month.
The route north of the lake would run without existing right of way and threaten the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo, two endangered bird species, Harvel said.
Meanwhile, a chartered bus will bring concerned locals to the hearing in Austin. Passengers can board at 7 a.m. April 15 at the Galloway-Hammond Recreation Center, 1601 S. Water St. in Burnet, which is also U.S. 281.
PUC is expected to make a final decision April 26.