La Crosse to study power-line project before approving

Opponents say Dairyland trying to get city to relax rules

Proposed power lines for the area have brought citizens to La Crosse City Hall meetings again this month.

Critics of Dairyland Power’s plans for the Q-1 South transmission line are asking city leaders to deny ordinance changes, which could open the way to 100-foot-and-higher transmission poles.

They argue the utility is trying to get La Crosse to relax height requirements near the airport, so power poles could be installed.  

“If (Dairyland) can’t meet the variance elements as they exists, the project can’t be built,” Ann Kathan, an Onalaska native who lives near the proposed power lines, said Tuesday at the plan commission meeting. “So, to get around that problem, it appears that Dairyland commissioned the study, gave the airport the data, in exchange for the airport presenting the ordinance that we saw today.”

Kathan argues that a study funded by Dairyland is aimed at cutting corners in the application process. She also worried that the poles would “forever mar” the landscape.

“Dairyland does not want to go through the variance process for the poles that pierce the overlay as it exists,” she said.

La Crosse airport manager Clint Torp says there would be no effect on the airport operation if the Dairyland plan for taller towers is turned down. 

The city plan commission, however, voted to putting off action on ordinance changes for 30 days in order to do more studies on the power line project.