II. Background

Left-Turn Lane and Road Widening Leads to Pole Relocation Proposal

Kenwood Inn and Spa (Kenwood) is located west of Highway 12, approximately 1.5 miles south of Kenwood. Kenwood applied in year 2001 to the County of Sonoma to expand their existing 12-room facility and add 24 new rooms. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors by Resolution 01-1226, on September 18, 2001, approved their application for General Plan Amendment, Rezoning, Use Permit, and Lot Line Adjustment. However, a condition of approval requires Kenwood Inn and Spa to construct a left-turn lane into the project entrance prior to building occupancy. Four existing utility poles, supporting PG&E 12KV lines and Verizon conductors, are located on the west side of Highway 12, Mile Post 27.8, in the vicinity of Kenwood's driveway. Kenwood must either relocate these poles by 4 to 12 feet, or replace them with approximately 950 feet of underground electric and communication facilities along this section of the highway.

Kenwood Requested Exemption from Undergrounding

On July 21, 2003, Kenwood Inn and Spa on behalf of PG&E requested authorization to permanently relocate these four existing joint utilities poles.

Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) Initially Objected to the Pole Relocation and Undergrounding Options

Moving the four poles would affect the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA). In a letter dated August 11, 2003, SCWA did not consent to the relocation of electric lines within their easement, asserting that the proposed relocation, whether above or below ground, would create a significant safety hazard for SCWA maintenance crews to quickly access SCWA's aqueduct in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, stray currents from the underground electric lines also could increase corrosion of their aqueduct by decreasing the effectiveness of its cathodic protection system.

SCWA Conditionally Allowed Pole Relocation

On August 22, 2003, SCWA verbally agreed to allow the four power poles to temporarily move into their easement (subject to SCWA's board approval), but with an obligation to replace the poles with underground facilities either at the very edge of their easement, or outside of it, within 5 years, because SCWA contemplates to add another major water line in their easement within the next ten years.

Kenwood, SCWA, and PG&E have been Working on an Easement Agreement

Kenwood, SCWA, and PG&E have been drafting an easement agreement since August 22, 2003, and recognized that Mr. Darius Anderson would need to grant a guy-wire easement for the overhead relocation.

Kenwood Exempted from Undergrounding

On September 18, 2003, the Commission evaluated and granted Kenwood's request by Resolution E-3842.

Neighbor Denied Easement for Guy Wire

On or about October 15, 2003, Kenwood learned that Anderson was unwilling to grant an easement for a guy wire needed to relocate one of the power poles above ground. Kenwood for two reasons now was forced to return to pursuing the more costly underground alternative.

Kenwood's Proposal to Erect New Pole on the Other Side of the Highway

On October 15, 2003, Kenwood Inn and Spa proposed to remove the four poles and underground the electric and communication facilities along this section of the highway; and to bore under the highway and permanently install a new riser pole on the other (eastern) side of Highway 12, to maintain service to Kunde Vineyard's property. An overhead power line would connect from this new riser pole eastward to an existing power pole (with pole-mounted transformers) some 200 feet into Kunde Vineyard's property to serve their irrigation pumps.

Kunde Vineyard Granted Easement to Erect New Power Pole on their Property

On December 5, 2003, Kunde Vineyard objected to this proposal based on aesthetical effect of the new pole on the highway adjacent to their property. Kunde Vineyard, however, would grant PG&E the necessary easements to erect a new riser pole within the vineyard next to the existing power pole on their property, and to underground the electric service from Highway 12 to this new riser pole at no expense to Kenwood Inn and Spa. But Kenwood would have to route underground facilities, the riser pole, and guy wires along an existing driveway to minimize vine disturbance.

Safety Requirements for the Undergrounding Option

PG&E has a safety requirement for transition between underground and

overhead facilities. A new riser pole is required if the last overhead pole has a transformer on it, or, a new concrete pad is required 10 feet away for a padmount transformer. The transformer pad alternative would cost approximately an additional $40,000.

Pole Relocation and Overhead Conversion Cost Estimates

Kenwood Inn and Spa submitted cost estimates for pole relocations, and overhead conversion with a new riser pole or a new padmount transformer in Attachment A.