Aug. 11--The second phase of a project to relocate utility poles along Lloyd Avenue in Latrobe is in limbo, city council learned Monday.

The completed first phase -- which cost $240,000 -- involved relocating the power poles and utility lines to the rear property lines of 20 homeowners on the western side of the street's 300 and 400 blocks, said Ron Weimer, chairman of the planning commission.

Efforts to begin the second phase have stalled in large part because Thomas Pope, one of 21 homeowners on the eastern side of the same stretch of the road, is the lone resident who hasn't signed a waiver of right-of-way.

It is unclear what action the city or Allegheny Power would take to carry on with the project if Pope does not endorse the proposal.

Pope voiced concerns over what he called the "overall vagueness" of project details and the risk to the safety of he and his wife, Ellen.

"I only ask that proper consideration be given to our safety, the aesthetic value of our property and that my private property rights are preserved," said Pope, who also reminded council of the June 5 incident in which 39-year-old Carrie Goretzka of Hempfield died from sustained June 2 when she was electrocuted by fallen Allegheny Power lines outside her home.

The 20 other residents living on the eastern side of the road's 300 and 400 blocks have already agreed to an identical waiver of right-of-way proposal to permit the second phase to start, Weimer said.

Council suggested Pope state his concerns in writing to Allegheny Power and city Manager Rick Stadler.

The city's revitalization program first began the project in 2006 to beautify the busy thoroughfare.

-----

To see more of the Tribune-Review or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/.

Copyright (c) 2009, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

Stockholm:ELN,

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.