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Homeowner fights utility pole plan that would impact front yard, property value
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ST. GEORGE - A homeowner reached out to 2 On Your Side for help to stop Entergy from installing a new utility pole in her front yard to serve a nearby event center. Krista Andry says there are alternatives that won't affect her property value.
A few years ago, Andry and her husband fought against the development of Aurora Park. It's a fight they lost. Now they have a new battle on their hands, this one involving electricity.
"I'm kind of at the end of my rope," said Andry.
There's frustration in Andry's voice. Across the street from her, construction continues on the new event hall along Jefferson Highway. She's worried about the traffic it will bring to the two-lane highway without a turning lane. First, her focus is on electricity. She's learned that another power pole will need to be installed in the servitude at the front of her property. Andry has been told it could go directly in front of her front door.
"An engineer for Entergy is saying the only way is to put a pole on this side right in front of the front door, or bore it underground," she said.
Andry already has a utility pole in her front yard. As she understands it, Entergy will need to install another one.
"I don't get it either," she said.
Another option is to bore the cables underground. That is estimated to cost $25,000.
Aurora Park's developer and operator is Michal McDowell. He says he must get power from across the street, but the cost to bore is not in his budget. As 2 On Your Side recently reported, Entergy is working to make the grid more resilient. The resilient poles are much larger. Andry is concerned the pole that might go in front of her door could be one of those.
Andry says it isn't just about a pole. It's about concerns she has as a long-time homeowner, when developers and utility companies make decisions that permanently affect others' property.
"I know a lot of people don't understand; they don't live here, they're not going to get it unless you're in it," she said.
Entergy says no decision has been made on pole placement, and it's continuing to meet with all parties to arrive at an outcome that works best.
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