By Philip Haldiman | The Arizona Republic
For months, Cave Creek residents and town officials have been fighting a proposed power line that would run through a portion of their town.
Arizona Public Service Co. officials say the new 69kV line will improve utility reliably in the area.
Cave Creek residents say it will have a negative impact on their property values and the surrounding environment.
Last week, the town lost the battle, when the utility company chose a route opposed by town residents last year.
Cave Creek Mayor Vincent Francia said he and other members of council exhausted all options for residents upset over the project.
“We fought and fought as best we could, but in the end, they make the final decision,” Francia said.
Project Manager Richard Stuhan said the route connects Cave Creek substation, in the 6100 block of East Skyline Drive, near the town’s commercial core, to the Gavilan substation, 38819 N. 12th St., in an unincorporated area of Maricopa County.
The planned line will run south on Cave Creek Road, west on Carefree Highway and northwest toward 12th Street.