On Monday night I attended a meeting about Easley Combined Utilities’ new water line project. This meeting directly concerned me because the new water line will be crossing my property. It also concerns me because Easley Combined wants to cut down our trees, prohibit us from planting trees there again, and thereby destroy our landscaping.
I wish to make it clear that I do not oppose the water line. What I do oppose is the manner in which this water line will be laid across our property and that of our neighbors on the south side of Buckskin Rd, Pistol Club Rd, Saluda Dam Rd, Jeannette St., and the north side of Olive St. The water line will be set back 30 feet from the edge of the highway’s existing right of way. In order to do that, Easley Combined is trying to procure permanent and temporary right of way for a total of 50 feet of our property. In other words, our entire front yard is no longer ours to use. The easements end barely 5 feet from my front steps. And here’s the real kicker. On the 30 feet of permanent right of way, Easley Combined wishes to restrict us from having any trees or structures. We already have some attractive, mature trees planted there that provide shade, beauty, privacy and curb appeal. I believe my current landscaping adds to my property value. Truly, the landscaping was one of the main reasons we chose to buy this house.
If Easley Combined forces every property owner along this new water line to abide by their restrictions, there will be virtually nothing but grass for 30-50 feet out from the aforementioned roads. I do not want my property devalued in this way, and I resent having to pay taxes on property I am restricted from using as I like!
Thankfully, I still live in a Democratic nation and I expect to have my wishes for my personal property respected. Surely Easley Combined and I can reach a compromise that allows them to have their water line and me to have my landscaping.
Fellow Residents,
Unfortunately, I was not provided any information as to this recent meeting held by Easley Utilities and therefore I was unable to stand with you. I live along Olive Street where this proposed water line will completly destroy my "curb appeal" and sound deadening effect the trees I currently have in the front yard of my home provide. While I understand the need to provide water to other residents down line, I and my neighbors will NOT receive ANY benefit from the line. I'm sure most of us would not be against allowing the water line to be installed along the CURRENT easement. Why must you remove very high dollar landscaping I have installed yet will never to be recouped for? Is this fair? I would submit to you that it is not. This is my first letter on this matter and it will be followed up with many more to Senators and Congressmen. As a regestered constituant, I will make every effort that our voices be heard by our elected officials, representatives and delegates in power to affect change.
I implore the Easely Combined Utilities management and engineers to hold another meeting to explain WHY they feel they would need all 30 feet my property. I urge others like Mike Beeco to keep the rest of us informend on any of these meetings that we were not informed of by Easley Utilities and didn't know about. Again this is concerning the question of why 30 feet of land is needed for a 36-inch water line. Eminent Domain not withstanding this isn't fair to the residents nor well thought out by Easley Combined Utilities and its team of engineers.
What the residents along this proposed water-line route expect is to be treated fairly and provided honest answers to valid concerns. To date, neither of these actions have been acted upon.
Mr. Sam Cowell
Easley