The precarious location of a B.C. Hydro power pole in Ladner Village has residents crying foul over why a new development was allowed to begin construction so close to the pole.
WorkSafe B.C. recently issued a stop work order on the three townhouse development under construction at a property adjacent to the former Ladner Baptist Church building, located at 47A Avenue and Delta Street, after it became clear one of the structures is now extremely close to existing power lines and transformers.
What's worse, the power pole had been on a slant even before the development received approval and hadn't been straightened out, potentially endangering construction workers at the site.
A spokesperson for B.C. Hydro said a WorkSafe B.C. inspector visiting the site to look at other aspects of the building project discovered the power line issue. No prior arrangement with B.C. Hydro had been made for workers to be able to work beyond the safety guideline "limits of approach" to power lines. The guideline also sets a minimum distance between electrical infrastructure and buildings. That has several local residents upset, saying it should have been clear before the development was approved that there would be a problem, but now they face the prospect of the power lines potentially being moved over their properties.
Council last year approved the development proposal, which already saw the church restored and relocated on the site.
An earlier proposal was denied after a number of residents came forward with
concerns about the form, character and height. Many said they felt the first design was not in keeping with the look of the rest of the neighbourhood, while others had concerns about the size of the development, saying it was too big and would be too close to the street. A revised plan was then put forward. One resident noted the concern about the power pole had been raised at a public hearing, but nothing was done about it and now the developer may get a further concession with a line relocation.
The Hydro spokesperson noted no decision has been made about the situation and the utility's design team is currently looking at options. Any changes to the electricity system would be the financial responsibility of the developer.
Delta municipal planning director Jeff Day noted Delta can advise and make requests when it comes to the location of power lines, but it's the utility company that has the final say on placement.
