REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Program for the South Loop Reconfigure Project to Construct New Electrical Transmission Lines on Lafayette Street, Mathew Street, Martin Avenue and De La Cruz Boulevard and Related Budget Amendment [Council Pillar: Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure]
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara's Electric Utility, Silicon Valley Power (SVP), is proposing to construct approximately 3.5 miles of new single and double circuit 60 kilovolt (kV) overhead transmission line within the northeastern area of the City of Santa Clara. SVP's primary objective of the South Loop Reconfigure Project (Project) is to shift the electrical load demand that is currently being seen on the South Loop Circuit to the East Loop Circuit to increase capacity and system reliability.
On June 16, 2015, the City Council adopted the FY 2015/16 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget which included the initial funding for the engineering for this 60kV conductoring and upgrading project. On July 12, 2016, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Electrical Consultants, Inc. to provide transmission line engineering design services which included reconfiguring the south transmission loop. The City Council also took action on January 14, 2020 to amend a service agreement with Valbridge Property Advisors to perform appraisal services as part of the easement acquisition for the Project.
The majority of the new 60 kV transmission line would be constructed along the following city streets in areas where existing power lines do not currently exist: Lafayette Street, Mathew Street, Martin Avenue and De La Cruz Boulevard. The remaining segments of the Project would be along routes that have existing distribution power lines and/or telecommunication lines.
DISCUSSION
SVP retained Aspen Environmental Group to prepare an initial stud...
Click here for full text