To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Regional Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Karen Davis-Brown, 707-565-2041
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): First
Title:
Title
Grant Easement to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution granting Easement Deed across section of Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve to PG&E, authorizing the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute the Easement Deed for APN 051-190-010, and authorizing the Director of Regional Parks to execute related documents necessary to complete the transaction and file a Notice of Categorical Exemption pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
end
Executive Summary:
PG&E is planning to reestablish power to a park neighbor. The original overhead powerlines serving 8050 Pythian Road were destroyed during the 2020 Glass Fire and fully removed amidst fire response. There is not an existing easement for those facilities. With establishment of an easement PG&E will re-establish electric service to this address and underground the new facilities.
Discussion:
PG&E is re-establishing power service to 8050 Pythian Road, a neighbor to Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. Overhead powerlines run above and along Pythian Road into the park. The new underground powerlines to 8050 Pythian Road will tap into existing overhead powerlines immediately in front of the property and will include trenching within the County of Sonoma’s right of way and to the driveway of 8050 Pythian Road.
PG&E seeks an easement of 935.4 square feet that will encumber a portion of a 0.27 acre parcel APN 051-190-010. The requested easement is a uniform strip of land 10 feet wide which would provide 5 feet on each side of a powerline. The easement may include underground conduits and pipes, above ground markers and service pedestals, walls, and fixtures and appurtenances necessary for the transmission and distribution of electric energy and for communication purposes located within the easement.
The easement as described further grants PG&E the right to maintain vegetation that may interfere or be a hazard to the PG&E facilities, or as deemed necessary to comply with applicable state or federal regulations; to use portions of lands contiguous to the easement as reasonably necessary in connection with construction, maintenance and inspection of facilities; to grade, excavate, replace, remove facilities located within the easement area. It would not allow Regional Parks to place or construct buildings or infrastructure or other obstruction within the easement area, though trails may be allowed.
. Finally, PG&E shall indemnify Grantor against any loss and damage caused by any negligent act or omission of Grantee or its agents or employees.
Undergrounding is the most effective long-term solution for keeping customers and communities safe. Placing overhead powerlines underground reduces ignition risk by approximately 99% in this location, as well as a potential decrease in the need for wildfire safety-related power outages, reduced maintenance work, and less tree trimming and tree removal in the future.
This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15302(d) of Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (conversion of overhead electric utility distribution system facilities underground) because the new power lines will be located on the same site as the original overhead lines being replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
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FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The establishment of powerline easement will have no fiscal impacts.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Easement Deed
3. CEQA Notice of Exemption
4. Map of Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None