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TEP Substation Variance Amendment Defeated!
Working Together Makes a Difference
On Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 the Living Desert Alliance joined forces with the Tucson Mountains Association (TMA) in presenting information to the Pima County Planning Commission opposing a permanent zoning code text amendment change brought forth by Tucson Electric Power (TEP).
If passed, the amendment would have allowed TEP to reduce the distance of 138 kV transformers from 200 ft. minimum residential property line setbacks to 200 ft. minimum residential dwelling unit setbacks and decrease sub-station buffer yards between properties from 200 ft. of natural desert to just 20-60 ft. of natural desert.
If these changes had been approved, it would have allowed TEP to set these parameters automatically on existing and new sub-stations at will, without public input or discussion, placing the burden of encroachment solely on the backs of homeowners including the associated risks from increased noise, electromagnetic field exposure, transformer failure from extreme weather, sabotage or other catastrophic events, loss of territorial views and decreased property values to name a few.
A big THANK YOU to the majority of five out of nine commissioners who understood the negative impact this change would have had on the community voting against recommending this change to the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
Cheers to Denise Baldwin, president of TMA for championing this successful effort and inviting the Living Desert Alliance to take part. Another great example of community-based organizations with similar interests working together to “Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving.”