Henderson OKs burying utilities

Thursday, June 20, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

The Henderson City Council unanimously approved a use permit for Nevada Power Company to install transmission lines through Green Valley after a mediator settled a heated dispute among citizens, the utility and developers.

The council's vote Tuesday night was the final hurdle for the $11 million project along an eight-mile stretch of Lake Mead Drive between Arroyo Grande Boulevard and Green Valley Parkway.

To help end a dispute that has lasted three years, Nevada Power agreed to bury the line for 1.5 miles through the Green Valley Ranch subdivision, avoiding schools and homes.

"It's a wonderful ending to a long process," said Laurie Olson, a member of a citizen's coalition that led the fight to bury the power line. "I think it's something the city should be proud of."

Citizens had been concerned over health impacts from invisible energy called EMFs (electromagnetic fields), aesthetics and property values.

Jubilant residents praised the cooperation between all parties after controversial hearings earlier this year.

"This is America at its best," said Debbie Behr, another coalition leader.

Henderson City Attorney Shauna Hughes recommended hiring Lansford Levitte of Nevada Dispute Resolution Services in Reno. Levitte met with all parties for more than three months.

"This was truly a development issue where the position of all involved had merit," Hughes said after the meeting. The city paid about $15,000 to hire the mediator.

"The members of the Powerline Coalition have set a true example of democracy in action," Hughes said. "They have been prepared, professional and open-minded."

Green Valley developer American Nevada Corp. agreed to grant necessary easements for the underground lines. Citizen Alert, a local environmental watchdog group, also offered information to the parties.

Mayor Bob Groesbeck praised the citizen concern and their participation to resolve the issue.

"Citizens don't always feel they have a real say in the development process," Groesbeck said. "In this mediation process, the residents had an equal say and an equal ownership of the resolution."

City officials believe mediation is so successful that they said they will consider voluntary mediation in future issues.

"Mediation is not only financially prudent, but it also makes equal partners of everyone involved," said City Manager Phil Speight.