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Under
certain circumstances, high-voltage transmission lines can
induce electrostatic voltage on objects. When an induced
voltage is present, touching the object can result in a
shock. The sensation from voltage induced by an alternating
power line is similar, but may continue to be felt as long
as contact with the object is maintained.
Several
years ago, Fauquier County had an episode of induced voltage
in the Lee’s Glen subdivision, just outside of Remington.
Upgrades to a power line induced voltage to gutters and
downspouts on homes up to 400 feet away. As noted by a
Dominion Virginia Power representative: “The induced voltage
on the gutters and downspouts of homes adjacent to the
transmission line is not unexpected due to the choice of
building materials used in these homes. The aluminum
gutters and downspouts pick up a charge from the electric
field created by the transmission line. The… vinyl siding
insulates the metallic gutters and down spouts from the
ground.” The purpose of this text amendment is to minimize
the potential for such problems.
The Planning
Commission held a public hearing on August 25, 2005, left
the hearing open, and deferred final action pending further
study. A work session on this issue was conducted on
September 27, 2005 with a Dominion Power engineer to help
the Planning Commission better understand the problem and
possible solutions. Enclosed are copies of the information
provided by Dominion Power’s engineer and Dominion Power’s
response to the Lee’s Glen incident and a map showing the
500 kV lines in the County.
On September
29, 2005, the Planning Commission held a second public
hearing and recommended approval of the attached ordinance
to the Board of Supervisors by a 4 to 1 vote. On November
10, 2005, the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on
the proposed amendment. The Board expressed concern over
making existing buildings within the 200-foot setback
nonconforming uses. The public hearing was left open and
staff was directed to address this concern. The revised
version, with the added language in italics, is as follows:
3. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Ordinance, for buildings erected after December 8, 2005,
there shall be a minimum distance of 200 feet between
such buildings and the right-of-way for transmission
lines of 500 kV or greater; preexisting buildings within
200 feet of the transmission line shall not be deemed
nonconforming uses and may be expanded within the
200-foot setback.
This
language allows buildings with two hundred feet of a power
line easement to continue to exist and expand without being
deemed nonconforming structures. It does not allow
buildings outside of the two hundred foot setback to expand
into the set back.
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