Duke Energy tries to appease neighbors near new property

Aug 22, 2008 (The Shelby Star - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- DUK | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Aug. 22--It's been a little more than two weeks since the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to amend the zoning map along McCombs Road, allowing Duke Energy to have light industrial use on a 271-acre property owned by the company.

Rezoning received a 4-1 green light from commissioners despite the county zoning board voting 6-5 against, citing some concerns shared by nearby residents.

The property is adjacent to residential use on one side and heavy industrial use on another.

The plan, as described Aug. 6 by Randy Veltri, of Duke Energy, is to build a 9-acre switching station on the 200-plus-acre parcel. Residents claimed the project would be an eyesore and create a gateway for future projects.

But there are measures being taken by Duke Energy to ensure the process moves easily and respectfully.

"We've moved the equipment as far into the property as we can," said Marilyn Lineberger, Duke Energy spokesperson. "A lot of plans for buffering, planting trees around it."

The switching station will play an integral part in the Cliffside expansion project, Lineberger said.

"It's very important to us because we're going to be increasing the amount of electricity," she said. "We need to have that switch yard in place so we can get the energy from the new unit out to our customers."

Veltri responded to some concerns at the Aug. 6 meeting, but it didn't appear to sufficiently appease area residents.

"We've been over there by our lonesome for years, 30-something years," Vicky Jones, a McCombs Road resident previously said. "We are concerned about our property value. I'm disappointed in Duke not being a good neighbor."

Commissioner Johnny Hutchins voted against the resolution, stating that further discussion between residents and Duke Energy before a decision would have been appropriate.

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