Yorkton Council had some concerns over a proposed route for new SaskPower transmission line coming into the city.
The concerns have been listened too, and SaskPower has agreed to change how the line will enter the city.
SaskPower wants to upgrade its facilities from the transmission station south of the City. The City had been presented with two options by SaskPower at Council's meeting Feb. 28.
SaskPower had intended to increase the number of feeders into the City from its substation south of the municipality. The route that it proposes to follow is adjacent to Highway #9 from the substation to its existing transmission lines north of the cemetery. SaskPower identified two options for this alignment. The first is above ground and the second is a buried service line.
At the meeting Gord Shaw, Manger of the City's Planning & Engineering Department explained then the City representatives met with SaskPower earlier this year to go over a different route for the lines.
Shaw said the greatest issue with SaskPower's preferred route is the overhead lines which would be in front of the City's cemetery.
"It would not be aesthetically pleasing to have overhead power lines in front of the cemetery," he said.
The alternative was to bury the lines, however, "SaskPower identified it is the City's responsibility to pay for an underground service line. SaskPower identified this cost to be $93,000. This cost is not included in the City's budget. SaskPower's preference is to use overhead wires in front of the cemetery."
However, at the regular meeting of Council Monday it was learned SaskPower has altered its position.
"SaskPower advised the City that it is prepared to work with the City to ensure the visual impact on Logan Green and the cemetery is reduced as much as possible. In order to do so, SaskPower will bury the feeder lines along this area of Hwy #9 at its cost," said Shaw.
SaskPower requires, however, a three metre wide easement and administration is in agreement with doing so, he added.
