Trees and power lines create concerns

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Home is where the heart is but in the Gracywoods Neighborhood , it's also where the park is.

"This is the heart of the neighborhood, yes," said resident Kate Stewart.

Which is why Stewart and her neighbors were upset in 2004 when they learned large trees had to be cut or removed from the hike and bike trail they use. Austin Energy and Lower Colorado River Authority officials said branches were too close to power lines. 

"Not only do they cause power outages but could cause electrical shock, could cause fire and they could cause death," said Austin Energy spokesman Carlos Cordova. "It's the right thing to do because the big power outage that happened on the East Coast several years ago that put 50 million people in the dark was caused by inadequate tree trimming around transmission lines," he added.

Residents said the problem is especially apparent in the summer because the power lines sag. Over the years Austin Energy and LCRA offered to remove some trees at the end of their lives and replace them. They also put some large oak trees on a five-year prune cycle. 

Some neighbors now think the trimmed trees look strange.

"We've wound up with trees we love dearly but they look like they come from the 'Land of Oz,'" said Stewart.

So neighbors continued talks with the utility providers. LCRA added arbors to the west end of the greenbelt for shade. Austin Energy has worked on a mitigation plan with the neighbors to transform the east end of the greenbelt into a wildlife restoration area that will serve as an outdoor classroom.

"We've really looked at a lot of wildflowers, a lot of native plants, a lot of plantings that would create habitat for wildlife," said Stewart.

It's still unknown if the old trimmed oaks will be part of the new look of North Star Greenbelt , but the two parties have agreed to continue to collaborate on the project.

"We're one of the few utilities in the country that will meet with every single property owners that's going to be affected by tree trimming," said Cordova. 

Austin Energy consults with 1,200 property owners each year and trims more than 400 miles of power lines annually.

"We're willing to work with them," said Cordova.

Neighbors said they've built a respectful relationship with the utility companies, which could work for other neighborhoods that face similar challenges.

"I think what we've learned as a neighborhood, if we consider the interest of the other parties and try to figure out ways that we can have commonalities, and maybe peel the onion so that we're finding what our common interests are, and how we can all benefit from an outcome that really addresses all those things, it really is a win-win for all," said Stewart.

Most neighbors take comfort knowing the easement will still be a place of life, not just lines in the future.

Austin Energy's website has plenty of information about tree trimming and tree replacement programs, as well as information about the right kinds of trees to plant for specific neighborhoods.