Lake Forest : City Delays Decision on Utility Permits

The City Council delayed a decision this week that would have permanently required utilities to secure special permits before blocking portions of major streets to perform equipment checks.

The council told city staff to negotiate a compromise with utility representatives, who heavily criticized the proposed ordinance at the council meeting.

“In no other city do we have to pull excavation permits,” said Susan Peterson of Southern California Edison Co. “This issue has proved burdensome to our operations . . . and costly to our ratepayers.”

Lake Forest, which has some of the most heavily traveled streets in the county, began asking utilities in March to take out special permits because of concerns that unregulated road barriers might cause safety and congestion problems.

Permits are commonly required for excavation projects such as installing telephone, water and gas lines. But simple equipment inspections occur far more often and requiring a permit for a street check has proved disruptive, utility officials said.

There are 1,500 gas valves in Orange County that need regular inspection, said Gail Roseen of the Southern California Gas Co., and if the permit requirement is made permanent it “would be a scheduling nightmare.”

The city ordinance was adopted from county regulations. However, the utilities maintain that Lake Forest is the only city that interprets the county law so strictly.

While negotiations are underway, the council agreed to waive permit fees. However, special permits must still be granted to the utility companies.

Peterson said her company carries insurance that protects the city in case of accidents. However, in a report to the council, city staff did not agree that Edison’s insurance indemnifies the city.