Goal: Achieve underground wiring of utilities

Objectives

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Background & Update
Presented at PPNA Annual Meeting, February 26, 2007

Why Underground Utilities?

• Reduce risk of fires and injuries from downed power lines
• Reduce power outages
• Reduce power surge risk to computers, appliances when power restored
• Improve neighborhood aesthetics

Brief History:

• Piedmont Pines asks Oakland to replace overhead lines.  Gets in line for preferred 20A funding.

1998

• City approves only selected streets for undergrounding.
• Piedmont Pines objects – asks for all streets to be covered.
• City adds 19 side streets.

1999

• Based on approval of Piedmont Pines residents by mail ballot, City Council approves formation of Piedmont Pines Underground Utility District.

2000

• PG&E and SBC object.
• Oakland appeals to CPUC: “All streets should be covered for safety reasons.
• CPUC opens hearings to redesign undergrounding process statewide; this combined with PG&E bankruptcy puts Piedmont Pines project on hold

2002

• CPUC rules against Oakland and in favor of the utilities. Safety not to be considered in making undergrounding decisions. 
• New map of covered streets is negotiated and agreed to among City, utilities.

2004

• PPNA accepts City’s compromise in order to avoid being dropped from waiting list
  • Project to be done in phases
  • Limited to major “arterial” streets
• PPNA members approve revised map of streets at October 2004 Annual Meeting

2005

• PPNA defeats Public Works proposal to remove PPNA from 20A funding list

2006

• Engineer selected for Phase I construction

Rule 20A Funding

• Provides funds to supplement cost of undergrounding
• Properties on designated 20A streets are 80% subsidized

Rule 20A Criteria Relevant to PPNA:

• The street … carries a heavy volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic
• The street … adjoins or passes through a … public recreation area or an area of unusual scenic interest…
• Includes arterial and collector streets:
  Ascot, Chelton, Skyline, Castle and Mountaingate

What About 20B Streets?

• 45% of PPNA streets are considered by utilities as 20B
• Currently listed as “Phase 4” for PPNA
• Must pick up much larger share of costs
  • 80% for electric undergrounding
  • 65% for telephone undergrounding
• Estimated cost per property for 20B: $30,000 - $60,000

Undergrounding on 20A Streets Benefits Residents on 20B Street

• 55% of our utility lines are on 20A streets
• More fire protection
• Fewer power outages
• Less risk of escape routes blocked by downed power lines
• Better views

The Current Plan: 3 Phases

• Mountain Blvd. to El Caminito
• Ascot Drive
• Ascot Place
• Ascot Court
• Skyline Blvd. (Ascot Drive - Carisbrook Drive)
• Wilton Drive
• Burton Drive

Construction begins 2009

Phase 2

Where:

• Chelton Drive
• Darnby Drive
• Carisbrook Drive (Skyline Drive - Darnby Drive)
• Chelsea Drive (Chelton Drive - Kimberly Court)
• Beaconsfield Place (Chelton Drive - Keswick Court)

Construction begins 2012

Phase 3

Where:

• Mountaingate Way (to Castle Drive)
• /Castle Drive
• Castle Park Way
• Cornwall Court
• Osborne Court
• /Skyline Blvd. (Castle Drive - Ascot Drive)

Construction begins 2013

How much will it cost me?

• 20A property owners will have to pay for:
  - new street lighting system
  - conversion of electrical panel if over $1500
  - trenching if over 100 feet
• $8,000 – $10,000 cost/household estimated
• Better estimate from the City expected soon
• Ballot to include a “will not exceed” cost
• Payable as lump sum, or financed and included on property tax bill

What Can You Do?

• Phase 1 owners: VOTE, VOTE, VOTE when ballot arrives next spring
• Join our Block Captain Network
• Recruiting now for Phase 1: Contact Debbie Foster via E-mail
• Talk to your neighbors, friends who live in Phase 1 streets (see map); explain the benefits
• Help spread the word when ballots are mailed; stress the importance of voting
• Watch for updates in PPNA newsletters, e-mails, Montclarion, letters
• Participate at City and PPNA meeting (be sure we have your E-mail address)

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Click on these links for additional resources:

• More detailed history of Piedmont Pines' undergrounding project
• CPUC decision and City's appeal regarding changes to rules governing undergrounding.
• PPNA's letter to City (1/2005) accepting phased approach to undergrounding project

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