Jerry Zelenka says the proposal would clear part of his property, remove six buildings and place a tower near his home. He considers the utility’s offer inadequate.
Jerry Zelenka and his wife have spent more than 30 years developing their Wisconsin property. A proposed transmission line for a data centre in Port Washington could now change the site, and the 75-year-old homeowner says he intends to challenge the plan.
Local outlet Washington County Insider reports that American Transmission Co. has proposed routing the line across Zelenka’s land. The plan calls for a corridor about 1,000 feet long and 75 feet wide, the removal of six outbuildings and a 130-foot tower near the driveway. Mature trees, including cedars, oaks and black walnuts, would also be cleared.
Zelenka said the company offered $81,000 for the buildings and property impacts, plus a one-time $50,000 payment if he signed an agreement at this stage. He considers the offer inadequate and fears the tower and high-voltage infrastructure would reduce the value of his home and land.
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission rejected ATC’s initial application as incomplete. The company later submitted a revised proposal with different route options. Two neighbouring property owners, both attorneys, are already challenging the issue in federal court. The dispute concerns whether land can be taken for a line intended primarily to serve a private data centre.
The couple bought the Highway A property in 1990, cleared it and built their home themselves. They planted hundreds of trees and gradually added outbuildings. Zelenka says relocating or rebuilding is not realistic for him now, and he does not plan to surrender the land voluntarily.