Underground Conversion Subcommittee
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite 162
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5139
Fax: (714) 765-5280
www.anaheim.net
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
City of Anaheim
PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT
DATE: FEBRUARY 13, 2023
SUBJECT: PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT –
UNDERGROUND CONVERSION SUBCOMMITTEE
REQUEST: This is a request to appoint a replacement for a current vacancy on the
Underground Conversion Subcommittee.
BACKGROUND: The Underground Conversion Program (Program) was established
by City Council in 1990 and is funded by a 4% electric surcharge. The purpose of the
Program, which is administered by the Public Utilities Department, is to convert
electrical and communication lines from overhead to underground for both reliability
and aesthetic purposes.
The Underground Conversion Subcommittee (Subcommittee), established at the onset
of the Program, is comprised of five members. Two members are appointed by the
Planning Commission, and three are appointed by the Public Utilities Board (Board).
The Planning Commission is currently represented by Chairperson Kring; the second
position is vacant following the resignation from the Planning Commission of David
Heywood. The Subcommittee is an advisory group that makes recommendations to the
Public Utilities Board (Board) concerning the Program including the Underground
Conversion 5-Year Plan.
The 5-Year Plan (Plan), includes planned and active undergrounding projects which
are subject to available funding as authorized by City Council. Attachment 1 explains
the project selection criteria utilized by the Subcommittee when considering projects
and provides information on the active and planned investments identified in the
current Plan by Council Districts.
The Subcommittee meets quarterly to facilitate the annual review process as follows:
August – Staff introduces potential new projects for consideration.
November – Subcommittee identifies a short-list of projects for further consideration.
February – Subcommittee decides which projects are to be added to the Plan, if any.
May – Subcommittee recommends the Plan to the Board for consideration. Upon Board
approval, the Plan is forwarded to the City Council for review and consideration of
approval.
Regular Meetings are held at 3:45 p.m. in Anaheim West Tower, 7th Floor Large
Conference Room, on the last Wednesday of the months specified above. The next
meeting will be February 22, 2023.
Underground Conversion Subcommittee Appointment
February 13, 2023
Page 2 of 2
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Planning Commission, by motion, appoint
a Commissioner to fill the vacancy on the Underground Conversion Subcommittee.
Prepared by, Submitted by,
Heather Allen, AICP Niki Wetzel, AICP
Principal Planner Deputy Director of Planning and Building
Attachment:
1. Project Selection and District Information
PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA
Engineering/Reliability
Project
Coordination
Aesthetic
Improvement
Geographic
Diversity
Available
Funding
ATTACHMENT NO. 1
ACTIVE & PLANNED UGC PROJECTS
Santa Ana/St College
La Palma/
Anaheim La Palma/Sunkist
Olive/ Vermont
Cerritos/
Nutwood
Ball /
Brookhurst
La Palma/
East
Santa Ana Canyon/
Royal Oak
Orangewood
Beach
Euclid
1
2 3
4
5
6
Miraloma
Dale
Lincoln
Sycamore
Planned Projects
Projects in
Design/Construction
Eucalyptus
Legend:
Electric Complete. Phone,
Cable TV in progress
Wildfire Mitigation
UG in FTZ
ACTIVE & PLANNED INVESTMENTS
25.1 mi
23.5 mi
12.3 mi
25.9 mi
40.7 mi
28.5 mi
1
2
3
4
5
6
DISTRICT 1
DaleMagnoliaLincoln
Ball
La Palma
KnottCrescent
BeachBrookhurst
DISTRICT 2
Lincoln
Ball
EuclidBrookhurstCerritos
Katella NutwoodBroadway
DISTRICT 3
La PalmaEuclid
Broadway
DISTRICT 4
Ball
Katella
OrangewoodEuclid State College Lewis
DISTRICT 5
Ball
Katella
La Palma
Rio VistaSunkist
DISTRICT 6 Tier 1 Low
Tier 2 Elevated
Tier 3 Extreme
Legend:Imperial