Jerry Zelenka, a resident of Fredonia, Wisconsin, has rejected a $131,000 compensation offer from the American Transmission Company (ATC) regarding a proposed high-voltage power line project. The infrastructure is intended to supply electricity to a planned data centre in the neighbouring city of Port Washington. According to Zelenka, the project as proposed would necessitate the clearing of a 1,000-foot-long and 75-foot-wide path of mature trees, including cedar, oak, and black walnut, as well as the demolition of six buildings on his property, including an antique barn, a garage, and a machine shed.
The compensation package offered by ATC consists of $81,000 for property impacts, supplemented by a $50,000 incentive for signing the agreement immediately. Zelenka, who has lived on the land since 1990, expressed significant concerns regarding the loss of his property’s integrity and the placement of a 130-foot transmission tower in close proximity to his driveway. He stated that the financial offer fails to adequately cover the costs of replacing the structures or account for the diminished value of his remaining land.
Zelenka further raised concerns regarding the potential use of eminent domain, fearing he would have no power to stop the land seizure even if he refused to accept the current terms. He questioned whether the project, which primarily supports a private data centre, qualifies for the use of eminent domain for public benefit. Two neighbouring landowners who are attorneys have reportedly initiated a legal challenge in federal court regarding the project's validity.
The homeowner, who cares for his wife who has advanced Parkinson’s disease, noted that the shifting proposals from the company have made it difficult to obtain consistent information. For now, Zelenka maintains that he will continue to oppose the project's proposed route rather than accept the payment and engage in a court battle over property value.
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