Lawsuit Threatens Huntsville Development
PAUL ROY - Independent Herald Editor
HUNTSVILLE Ñ OneidaÕs Ernest Billingsley stands atop the Huntsville Utility DistrictÕs Flat Creek Dam and looks out over the blue water and wooded landscape, with thoughts of seeing a multimillion dollar resort development take place on the land he owns.
But if the utility district has itÕs way, Billingsley said, Ònot only will there be no lake front property for development, but there will be no lake view property!Ó
He is referring to an upcoming October 14 condemnation lawsuit filed against him in Scott County Circuit Court Ñ a suit filed by the utility to acquire property 100 feet in elevation above the top of the dam which, says Billingsley, is 1400 feet in elevation.
ÒThey want a 300-acre buffer zone around the lake,Ó says Billingsley. ÒAnd thereÕs no reason for it except to keep me from developing it.Ó
Huntsville Utility District Manager Larry Crowley takes exception to BillingsleyÕs stance.
ÒThe job of our board is to ensure the safety of the water for years to come,Ó Crowley said.
Crowley said the reason the condemnation suit was filed was because much of the property around the lake Òis of steep terrainÓ and is a Òslide potential area.Ó
If that property is allowed to be developed, Crowley says, the potential exists that it could create a slide, not only harming the lake, but opening up the potential for lawsuits against the utility.
ÒThe law says that we canÕt file a suit to punish him or be capricious Ñ and weÕre not. ThatÕs a fragile environment and we want to protect the water,Ó Crowley said.
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