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File #: 1266-21    Version: 1 Name: Walk on - KU Litigation Tree Clear Cutting
Type: Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 11/30/2021 In control: Urban County Council
On agenda: 12/2/2021 Final action: 12/2/2021
Enactment date: 12/2/2021 Enactment #: R-680-2021
Title: A Resolution authorizing and directing the Dept. of Law, on behalf of the Urban County Government, to file any necessary legal actions related to Ky. Utilities Co.'s clear-cutting and removal of trees in Lexington-Fayette County. [Council Office, Maynard]
Attachments: 1. 00744285.pdf, 2. R-680-2021
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A Resolution authorizing and directing the Dept. of Law, on behalf of the Urban County Government, to file any necessary legal actions related to Ky. Utilities Co.'s clear-cutting and removal of trees in Lexington-Fayette County. [Council Office, Maynard]
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WHEREAS, Kentucky Utilities Company has implemented a policy for clear-cutting trees under and around transmission lines in Lexington-Fayette County that has detrimentally impacted multiple Council Districts and neighborhoods throughout Lexington-Fayette County; and
WHEREAS, the Urban County Council understands that safety and reliability in providing electric service are important concerns but believes that the current policy in its application is unreasonable in that it simply utilizes the most damaging and least discretionary means possible for addressing the issue of tree growth in and around utility easements; and
WHEREAS, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and the public have an interest in this matter given the significant health and quality of life benefits that mature trees provide to the community and the damaging impact that wide scale tree cutting will cause; and
WHEREAS, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government has attempted to address these issues with Kentucky Utilities Company without success; and
WHEREAS, despite Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's best efforts, Kentucky Utilities Company has continued clear cutting trees in Lexington-Fayette County; and
WHEREAS, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council wishes to file a formal complaint with the Kentucky Public Service Commission and take any necessary legal action in Fayette Circuit Court to protect the interests of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and its residents from the negative environmental, ecological, aesthetic, and economic effects of Kentucky Utilities' tree cutting policy; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT...

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