CC SR 20200818 03 - Crest Road Utility Poles
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 08/18/2020
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to receive a status report on relocating certain utility
poles at 3867 Crest Road
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file a status report on issuance of an encroachment permit to relocate
certain utility poles from 3867 Crest Road to across the street and onto the City
right-of-way along Crest Road, and;
(2) Continue this item to date uncertain, but no later than October 20, 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Ken Rukavina, PE, Director of Community Development
REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. July 21, 2020 City Council Staff Report (available at:
https://rpv.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=5&clip_id=3704&meta_id=
84716 )
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On July 21, 2020, the City Council received a report regarding the pending issuance of an
encroachment permit to allow the relocation of certain Southern California Edison (SCE)
utility poles and transmission lines from off of the property at 3867 Crest Road to across the
street within City right-of-way (Crest Road).
The proposed utility relocation will consist of relocating five SCE poles and undergrounding
about 270 feet of high-voltage transmission lines, leaving only 90 feet of high-voltage
transmission lines above ground, consisting of approximately 60 feet crossing Crest Road
and 30 feet between three new poles on the south side of Crest Road. Property owners of
3867 Crest Road are funding this project. The proposed relocation of these utility poles and
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transmission lines is further described in the July 21, 2020, City Council staff report
(Attachment A).
On July 21, the issues outlined in the staff report were presented by Staff and discussed by
the City Council, with input received from the property owners, the public and SCE. During
its presentation, City Staff noted, and as confirmed by the City Attorney, that it is the Public
Works Director who is charged with the authority to issue encroachment permits for such
work per the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code. It was also noted that the City Council
had requested a public discussion of the issues with all stakeholders being encouraged to
present their issues, concerns, and perspectives publicly.
The discussion that ensued included expressions of concern related to safety, the current
state of the existing SCE poles, SCE’s response to the community’s questions, discussion
of possible funding participation, and whether the municipal code should be modified to
address the scope of City Council oversight of encroachment permits involving power pole
relocations. At the conclusion of the discussion, the City Council voted to defer this item to
a future meeting no later than August 18, 2020, to allow staff and the interested parties to
confer one more time and to engage SCE to become a partner in the project for the
betterment of City, residents and SCE.
On August 6, the property owners (Funiciello), representatives of the Rancho Palos Verdes
Estates Community Association (HOA), SCE, Crown Castle and Staff met to discuss issues
raised by the City Council and to clarify objectives of the property owners and the HOA.
Specific issues raised included the property owners’ desire for the utility lines to be
removed from their front yard and the utility easement relinquished, the HOA’s objection to
the installation of a series of utility poles near the entrance to their properties, and potential
alternative locations for poles and equipment.
During this meeting, all parties agreed to continue this matter before the City Council to a
date uncertain to provide time to consider alternatives and to sort out property lines,
easements and dedications along Crest Road, project costs and funding, and project
impacts to the City-owned lot that is immediately west of 3867 Crest Road. The property
owners agreed to continue the matter to no later than October 20, 2020, with the caveat
that other location alternatives are deemed feasible.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative action is available for the
City Council’s consideration:
1. Identify additional issues or concerns, provide direction to Staff, and continue this
item to a future agenda.
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