Group 170912-S Underground Utility Districts
Summary
SCH Number
2025101365
Public Agency
City of San Diego
Document Title
Group 170912-S Underground Utility Districts
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/28/2025
Document Description
CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL to prioritize and form twelve (12) Underground Utility-DISTRICTS which would allow the construction of an Underground Utility System per the City's franchise agreement. The districts would also create an overlay that would restrict utility companies form installing above-ground utility lines in the future, including electric transmission lines which are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. The project would consist of trenching approximately 5 feet deep and 2.5 feet wide along one side of the public Highway installing-conduit and substructures such as electric transformer boxes and telecommunication pedestals, installing cable through the conduits, backfilling, removing existing overhead utility lines and poles, and installing streetlights where applicable.
Utility poles may need to be installed or upgraded at the boundary of the district where determined necessary for the transition from the existing aerial system to the new underground system. Streetlights, utility poles (if needed), transformer boxes and pedestals will be Installed in the public-right-of way or a utility easement. Locations of the new equipment will be determined during utility. system design and a community forum will be held to allow residents to provide input on final designs. In most cases, boxes and pedestals can be placed without requiring the removal of an existing tree. Trenching or boring work that could impact existing trees will be done in consultation with the City Arborist.
Individual customer connections will be made by boring laterally underground from the main line In the right of way to the front of the structure to install conduit and cable. If lateral boring is not feasible, open trenches approximately three feet deep and-two feet wide will be dug and surfaces restored to pre-existing conditions when work is complete. Some properties may require electric service panel upgrades and/or-installation of conduit and a junction box on the exterior of the building.
After Utilities are undergrounded, street trees may be Installed in the right of way If conditions allow it and property owners sign an agreement to water the tree until it is established. Curb ramps would be installed where missing to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, which may result In the loss of a street parking space at some locations, it should also be noted-that the-project may replace previously conforming curb ramps to meet current City and ADA standards. In addition; sidewalk repairs, preservation of historical stamps, and street resurfacing or replacement of segments of concrete road will be done as needed. Traffic control measures and Best Management Practices (BMPs) would be implemented during construction. Any street tree removal, relocation, and/or tree trimming would be done under the supervision of the City Arborist. The street light locations are within urban developed areas, no sensitive vegetation would be affected or removed, and historic sidewalk stamps would be preserved per contract specifications. The urban developed areas, no sensitive vegetation would be affected or removed, and historic sidewalk stamps would be preserved per contract specifications. The Project location is not included on any government code listing of hazardous waste sites. Project location is not included on any government code listing of hazardous waste sites.
Contact Information
Name
Myra Herman
Agency Name
City of San Diego
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Breanne Busby
Agency Name
City of San Diego
Job Title
Senior Civil Engineer
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
Installation of an underground utility system and related work at the following locations and community plan areas:
1) UU980 Residential Project Block 2S4 (Mission Beach),
2) UU315 Residential Project Block 2V1.(Pacific Beach),
3) UU910 Residential Project Block 3BB1 (Mid-City: Normal Heights),
4) UU911 Residential Project Block 3Y (North Park, 5),
5) UU790 Residential Project Block 4Y2 (Skyline-Paradise Hills, 6),
6) UU878 Residential Project Block 6B (Clairmont Mesa),
7) UU879 Residential Project Block 68.1 (Clairemont
8) UU243 Residential Project Block 6L (Clairemont Mesa),
9) UU937 Residential Project Block 7E1 (Mid-City; Eastern Area),
10) UU947 Residential Project Block 7L1 (College Area},
11) UU700 Residential Project Block 70 (Navaho),
12) UU314 Residential Project Block 8S (Otay Mesa-Nestor).
Other Information
Group 170912-S Underground Utility Districts
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
§15302(D) (REPLACEMENT OR RECONSTRUCTION}
Reasons for Exemption
The City of San Diego conducted an environmental review that determined the project would not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines §15302(d). [Replacement or Reconstruction],.which allows for the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities, including the conversion of overhead electric utility distribution system facilities to underground when the surface is restored to the existing condition, and where the new structure will be located on the same site and have substantially the same purpose and capacity; and where the exceptions listed In CEQA Section 15300.2 would not apply in that no cumulative impacts were identified; no significant effects on the environment were Identified; the project is not adjacent to a scenic highway; no historical resources would be affected by the action; and after review of EnviroStor and Geo Tracker websites the project was not identified-on a
list of hazardous waste sites pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. R-316062
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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