Serra Mesa

We are going to be one of the first residential areas to be done. I was in Darnall when Streamview was done, so I can answer some question. I am currently researching the subject to learn more to pass on to you. Any questions or information you may have please discuss here for all to benefit.

From Madaffer's Feb newsletter

Undergrounding has Rolando Park Leading the Way Residential under grounding of utility lines in all City neighborhoods is coming but it will take time. The goal is to have the entire City under grounded within 20 years and finally we're beginning the process on our residential streets. As a result, the City's neighborhood areas have been divided up into small segments. The plan, that Council recently approved and which begins this year, stipulates that one segment from each Council District will be under grounded. The first segment within Council District 7 will be a portion of Rolando Park between University Avenue and the MLK/Highway 94. This will involve taking down unsightly utility poles and burying the wires under ground. No more ugly poles and wires. It also means some of our older neighborhoods will enjoy an advantage that new neighborhoods have because wiring is under ground. The City of San Diego is coordinating with utility providers such as SBC, SDG&E, Cox Cable and Time Warner. There is no doubt that residents will have some inconvenience while the conversation takes place but the City will make every effort to keep the impact to a minimum. The under grounding in Rolando Park is expected to begin the later half of 2005. Future neighborhoods in our district will be randomly selected for under-grounding. A little more background about undergrounding in San Diego For over 25 years, all property owners in the City of San Diego have been paying, as part of electricity rates, the cost of under grounding utilities. The California Public Utilities Commission or CPUC rules only allow these funds to be used for the under grounding of major thoroughfares (such as Zion, Streamview, Jackson, etc.). Since 1971, twenty-eight underground conversion projects totaling approximately 23 miles of overhead lines have been converted to underground along major thoroughfares in District 7. Most recently, Zion Avenue , portions of El Cajon Boulevard and portions of Montezuma Road were completed. Del Cerro Boulevard and a major portion of Cowles Mountain Boulevard are currently underway. Lakeshore Drive, Princess View Drive and Jackson Drive are being designed for construction and Streamview is nearly complete. However, the problem with this program is that CPUC rules do not permit the under grounding of residential areas. In 2002, the CPUC approved revised franchise terms between the City of San Diego and SDG&E that would create a program for under grounding lines specifically for residential areas. Under this program, SDG&E franchise fees paid to the City were increased to be 3.53% of SDG&E's gross electric revenue. This increase is passed along by SDG&E to all its electric customers. The CPUC approved this program with the City committing that 100% of these increased franchise fees would be used solely and exclusively for the under grounding of overhead lines. It is a historic program and the only one of its kind in the nation. The under grounding of overhead lines benefits the entire City and is seen as a benefit to the general public at large. New underground lines increase the reliability and efficiency of the electrical grid as well as help redevelop older communities, which also benefits the general public at large. Under grounding is paid by all electricity users because the entire City benefits by having more neighborhoods that have safer electrical distribution that is more reliable and more esthetically pleasing.

Remodeling or landscaping?

Are you remodeling or landscaping? If so between now and when the undergrounding is done then you should call Nathan Bruner. He may be able to help both you and the city. It is possible that you could work together to save time, money, and hassles later by coordinating our efforts with their future plans

Undergrounding meeting - June 15

At our next meeting starting at 5pm we'll see and hear what is planned for the first half of undergrounding in our neighborhood. If you have question and cannot make it please contact us through email, website, board members, etc. As for the other half of our area the City Council will make their next round of choices on June 30th, so let Jim Madaffer's office know we don?’t want to wait and it should be done right after the first half is finished.