Survey indicating residents’ approval for Laguna Canyon Road utility undergrounding heads to Laguna Beach council

A new survey that will be reviewed by the Laguna Beach City Council on Tuesday indicates that residents would approve of undergrounding the utility poles and wires on Laguna Canyon Road.

The $242,000 survey by TBWB Strategies and a subcontractor, approved by the council in December, gathered opinions from 938 residents in January. Residents could vote in November on a bond or tax measure to fund placing utilities underground.

According to a city staff report, those surveyed particularly supported undergrounding on Laguna Canyon Road, a main thoroughfare into the city and a key evacuation route. Downed power lines along the road can pose a problem during emergencies, officials say.

That effort could cost $80 million to $90 million, according to city estimates.

The survey indicates that a bond or a dedicated 1-cent sales tax toward undergrounding on Laguna Canyon Road and other evacuation routes could pass muster with voters. The survey takers did not recommend taxing for undergrounding in various neighborhoods, which could cost as much as $190 million.

City staff is recommending that the council approve more education and community outreach efforts with help from the Chamber of Commerce, Visit Laguna Beach and others.

Also Tuesday, the council is scheduled to interview and appoint members to various city committees, the Design Review Board and the Affordable Housing Task Force.

The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint