TUSTIN : City Postpones Plan to Bury Utility Lines

The City Council this week postponed a proposal to install utility lines underground along Red Hill Avenue between Copperfield Drive and Nisson Road because of opposition from property owners.

“I’m disappointed,” said Councilwoman Leslie Anne Pontious after Tuesday’sunanimous vote. “But I can’t hold it against people who are absolutely against the project.”

The Edison Co. proposed removal of overhead wires and electric poles and burying the utility lines at a cost of about $250,000. The city had set aside an additional $6,000 for five new street lights.

City officials said that the project was necessary for safety reasons and to improve the appearance of city streets.

But the property owners protested the cost of restoring their electric and telephone service once the utility lines were underground. The city’s Public Works Department estimated that the property owners would have to pay $400 each, down from an original estimate of from $1,200 to $1,600.

“We’re in a difficult economy,” said Carolyn Santos, one of the property owners. “I can’t afford that kind of money. I’m pleased the council listened to us.”

Carl Kovac, who led the fight against the project since the council proposed it last year, said there are city streets where the need to put utility lines underground is more urgent.

He said electric wires that pass through or very close to trees pose a danger to residents, and must be removed first, ahead of the Red Hill location where he said there is only one tree.

Another property owner, Jeff Alderson, said he liked the idea of putting utility lines underground. “Aesthetics is good. But I don’t want to pay for it.”