HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1981/05/19 Item 6
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COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
Item 6
Meeting Date 5-19-81
ITEM TITLE: Public Hearing to consider a request to waive utility
undergrounding requirements for the Gersten property east
of Hidden Vista Village Subdivision
SUBMITTED BY: Ci ty Eng ineer ~ (4{5ths Vote: Yes No~)
The Gersten Company has been working closely with Watt Industries
and San Diego Gas and Electric Co. on relocating existing 69 KV
power lines which extend easterly from Hidden Vista Village
Subdivision across Gersten's property. The present location of
the overhead lines conflicts with the proposed alignment of East
"H" Street. The Gersten Companies have submitted a request to
1) waive the undergrounding requirements and 2) approve
relocation of the 69 KV 1 ines through its property. The Gersten
Company paid the required fees and requested the City Clerk to
set the public hearing to May 5. Subsequent to the advertising
for the public hearing, the Environmental Review Coordinator has
determined that this action required environmental review.
Therefore, this item was continued to the meeting of May 19. It
is my
RECOMMENDATION: Conduct public hearing and direct staff to
return with a resolution waiving undergrounding requirements.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: On May 14, the Environmental
Review Committee determined that no significant environmental
affects would occur by relocation of the line and that no further
environmental analysis is necessary.
DISCUSSION:
Introduction
Watt Industries has proposed to underground a portion of the
existing 12 KV and 69 KV overhead lines within its Hidden Vista
Village Subdivision. The remaining portion of the 69 KV lines
are being relocated to the south and are being left overhead.
The Gersten Companies, owners of the adjacent property to the
east are working with Watt Industries and SDG&E. Gersten Company
has filed a request for a waiver of the undergrounding
requirements through its property in accordance with the attached
drawing.
The applicant's proposal is for the relocation of the power poles
and overhead lines to follow the canyon bottom. This relocation
is necessary to avoid conflict of the proposed alignment of East
"H" Street and Otay Municipal Water District's proposed 18" water
line installation.
Form A-113 (Rev. 11/79)
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Page 2, Item
Meeting Date
6
5-19-81
"H" Street Proposal
City staff is working with the Gersten Co., Watt Industries, Otay
Water District and L&L Development to put together an agreement
for the early construction of phase I of East "8" Street between
Hidden vista Subdivision and existing "H" Street (westerly of
Otay Lakes Road). This project will require a substantial
contribution from the City as well as substantial front end costs
from Gersten Co. and L&L Development (developers of 11 acres of
commercial property at northwest corner of "H" Street and Otay
Lakes Road). Although Engineering staff is not ready yet to
approach Council with a final recommendation for that project,
this waiver is a necessary part of that proposal.
Justification
The cost to underground the existing 69 KV lines is estimated to
be $1,400,000 while the cost to relocate the 69 KV line is
$180,000 (estimate provided by SDG&E).
The new alignment will be along the bottom of the north leg of
Rice Canyon. We believe the visual impact on "H" Street will be
greatly reduced by using the new alignment.
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An alternative would be to relocate the pole line along the
existing "H" Street alignment, for now, but then require
undergrounding when that area develops. The Gersten Company is
unwilling to expend $100,000 to $150,000 for the temporary
relocation of the pole line now and be forced at a later date
with undergrounding costs in excess of one million dollars.
Therefore, the Gersten Company will not participate in the "H"
Street early construction if this waiver is not granted.
In my opinion the cost to underground 69 KV lines across open
space outweighs the benefits derived. The costs of the
undergrounding would be added to the price of housing.
Therefore, even if the pending "H" Street project were not an
issue, I'd still recommend approval of the waiver.
A transparency is available for Council viewing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
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