Wisconsin Homeowner Rejects $131,000 Offer, Fighting a Power Line Proposal That Could Strip His Property Bare

A Wisconsin homeowner who spent decades building a home and developing the land around it says a proposed power line could strip his property of much of what he and his wife worked to create.

Jerry Zelenka, 75, and his wife purchased their 10-acre property in Fredonia, Wisconsin, in 1990. They lived in a shed while developing their property and house before moving into their new home. Over time, they planted hundreds of trees and added outbuildings, including a barn constructed from century-old cedar logs.

Now, Zelenka says a proposed route from American Transmission Company (ATC) threatens much of that hard work. The transmission project is intended to support growing electricity demand around Port Washington, including a major data center development.

Homeowner Says Power Line Would Remove Trees And Buildings

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In an interview with Washington County Insider, Zelenka said one proposed route would require clearing a roughly 1,000-foot-long, 75-foot-wide strip of trees and vegetation on his property, removing several outbuildings and placing a 130-foot transmission tower near his driveway.

According to ATC’s project plans, the company has proposed both preferred and alternative routes for the power lines. Its alternate Southwest Route would pass through the Fredonia area, although Wisconsin regulators have not yet determined which route, if any, will be approved.

Zelenka says the shed, chicken coop, hog barn, garage, and machine shed are among the structures that would be affected.

He said ATC offered approximately $81,000 in compensation, plus another $50,000 if he signed an agreement promptly

“I don’t know who thinks I can replace all of these buildings for $81,000,” Zelenka said, “but I got news for you…. it’s not financially possible.” He also asked, “What is this property going to be worth with none of these buildings, towers in the front yard, and just a house standing there?”

Revised Power Line Proposal Faces Opposition

The story behind Zelenka’s predicament stretches back to 2025.

ATC first applied for state approval to build the power lines back in September 2025, and Wisconsin regulators initially accepted the application for review. However, the company subsequently made so many changes to its proposal that the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin required it to start the application process over.

ATC submitted a revised application in September 2026. The new proposal is under docket 137-CE-229. Wisconsin regulators must still decide whether to approve the project and which route, if any, will be used.

In a Sept. 15 announcement, ATC said the project is needed to meet growing electricity demand in the Port Washington area, including demand associated with a major data center, while maintaining the reliability of the regional power grid.

That does not alleviate Zelenka’s concerns for his property.

Zelenka objects to the possibility of eminent domain, which can allow property to be acquired for qualifying public uses without the owner’s agreement. In a September letter, he argues that the proposed power lines primarily benefit the Port Washington data center rather than the broader public, and questions whether eminent domain should apply.

Zelenka has made clear that he has no intention of accepting ATC’s current offer. In his Oct. 1 letter, he ended with a warning: “SEE YOU IN COURT.”

Would you take $131,000, considering all the space and buildings it would interfere with?