CORONA DEL MAR : Plan for Underground Utilities Disputed

A plan to take utility lines underground has angered a handful of Corona del Mar residents who say they are being asked to pay too much for too little.

A 1913 law authorizes cities to form assessment districts with approval of half the property owners in the proposed district. It states that owners should bear the cost of improvements in proportion to each’s benefit.

The district at issue is bounded by Seaview, Goldenrod and Fernleaf avenues and Bay View Drive.

Residents initiated a petition to put utility lines underground in 1991. With 57% of residents favoring the proposal, the process was begun. Homeowners would pay off $86,000 over 15 years with fees added to their property tax bills.

The dispute centers on the amount each of 20 property owners will pay. Because some utility poles will remain and four Seaview Avenue property owners will have to fund the work later, those owners will pay a reduced rate.

Some were angered because the poles that will remain will leave their views unimproved, while other property owners will have all poles removed from view.

“This allows a few to gain a major view advantage that is paid for, in part, by others,” Seaview Avenue resident Carter Wertz said.

Neighbor John Stearns was bothered more by the pole than the price--prorated between $2,048 and $3,785 for Seaview owners and $4,097 a year for other owners.

“Only three of four poles near my house will be removed in the undergrounding,” he told the City Council. “I will receive no benefits whatsoever. The ugly pole next to my house will remain. . . . I will gladly pay the appropriate assessment when that pole is removed.”

The residents were also frustrated because a 52% majority opposing the district at an April 24 public hearing had shifted to a 42% minority a week ago, after two owners withdrew their protests.

The council approved the district on a 6-1 vote with Councilwoman Norma Glover opposed.