Utility Undergrounding District No. 16
Summary
SCH Number
2011068111
Public Agency
City of Orange
Document Title
Utility Undergrounding District No. 16
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/15/2011
Document Description
The City of Orange is proposing to establish and underground utility district along the above listed City streets, allowing for the removal and underground installation of utility poles, overhead wire, associated overhead structures, and supporting equipment within the undergrounding utility district boundaries. Undergrounding work will involve trenching within City Street right of way to a depth of approximately 3 to 5 feet for installation of underground electrical distribution lines. In addition, trenching will be involved for the installation of laterals connecting the distribution lines to Southern California Edison (SCE) meters on adjacent properties. Following undergrounding, the existing aboveground utility poles and lines will be removed. In addition, where street lights are located on existing utility poles (removed as part of the project), work includes installation of replacement ground-mounted street lights, consistent with the City's Master Plan of Street Lights. A small number of aboveground electrical equipment cabinets will also be installed (typically within existing sidewalks or parkways). Where ground disturbance occurs, the surface will be restored.
Contact Information
Name
Frank Sun
Agency Name
City of Orange
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Orange
Counties
Orange
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
S:15302;C:2
Reasons for Exemption
The project falls within Section 15302 of the State CEQA Guidelines which exempts conversion of overhead electric utility distribution system facilities to underground, including connections to existing overhead electric utility distribution lines, where the new structures will have the same purpose and capacity as the structures replaced and the surface will be restored to the condition existing prior to the undergrounding. The project is exempt because it involves undergrounding of existing overhead utilities within and area of the City that is already developed with City streets, sidewalks, underground utilities, and residential, commercial, and light industrial structures, The underground utilities will replace the existing overhead system (serving the same population and service area) and will therefore be substantially the same purpose and capacity as existing. The project is located within the City's Old Towne Orange historic district, which is recognized for its electric mix of buildings with architectural styles that are representative of the early 1900's to 1940's. However, the project would not affect building and proposes to restore the ground surface to its pre-project condition, Therefore, the project meets the exemption criteria and does not rigger and of the exceptions to exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.0.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.