SACO — Central Maine Power will go before the Zoning Board of Appeals next month to contest conclusions of the Planning Board in denying its application for a proposed high voltage power line.

CMP has proposed a plan that would replace an existing power line with a double-circuit line, which would have 115 and 34.5 kilovolt lines. The 34.5 kV line could be replaced in the future with a 115 kV line, if need be, according to CMP.

The proposed project would span about seven miles through Saco and replace 175 wood poles, which are 35 feet high, with 96 metal poles that are 85 feet high.

The path of the proposed line runs alongside Saco Middle School and the Chelsea Circle, Jenkins Road and Rotary Drive neighborhoods.

At the zoning board meeting, CMP will contest findings made by the Planning Board last month that the proposal does not have adequate buffer zones and on-site landscaping to protect neighboring properties from detrimental features of the development.

It will also contest findings the Planning Board made that there may be negative impacts to abutting property as a result of the height of the poles and public exposure to electromagnetic fields.

According to CMP officials, research indicates that the proposed lines will emit less electromagnetic radiation than the current lines.

CMP will also contest the finding that the poles could have a detrimental effect on property values and the size of the poles could affect scenic views.

The meeting is likely to be held on May 10, according to Saco Code Enforcement Officer Dick Lambert.

The zoning board will hear testimony from both CMP and the Planning Board and then deliberate, said Lambert.

It’s possible the board could come up with a decision that night, said Lambert, but the process could continue if it decides it needs more information.

The one item that will not go before the Zoning Board of Appeals is an issue with the proposal that violates city ordinance.

Under city ordinance, high voltage lines within 200 feet of any residence, school building or playground, public recreation field, or place of employment must be placed underground.

The Public Utilities Commission, which regulates CMP and other utilities, had ordered the lines to be installed above ground.

“We’re not debating the fact we didn’t meet the ordinance,” said Carroll.

He said that he expects that CMP will go before the PUC to resolve this particular issue.

State law gives the PUC the right to override local ordinances, and CMP is likely to request an exemption from the ordinance that requires specific lines to be placed underground.

CMP wants to exhaust local efforts before going to the PUC, and to have ”as narrow a question” as possible before going to the PUC, said Carroll.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.