LA community considers infrastructure overhaul prioritizing underground utilities
The Pacific Palisades Community Council is set to consider a resolution urging Los Angeles officials to prioritize underground utility infrastructure as rebuilding continues following the 2025 Palisades Fire, Palisades News reported.
The proposal calls on the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to develop a comprehensive master infrastructure plan for the neighborhood, with a focus on undergrounding power and utility systems to improve fire resilience, public safety and long-term insurability. Council infrastructure committee members said LADWP has indicated that undergrounding utilities across the Palisades is feasible and that early outreach efforts are already underway.
As part of the proposed plan, the council will consider requesting a temporary pause of at least one year on new street tree planting in residential areas. Supporters say delaying tree installation would prevent conflicts with future underground utility construction, transformer placement and related right-of-way work as rebuilding progresses.
The resolution also calls for a broader redesign of above-ground infrastructure, including replacement of wooden utility poles with metal poles where feasible and greater use of integrated “stealth” streetlight designs to accommodate wireless telecommunications equipment. According to Palisades News, the proposal encourages placing transformers and other equipment underground wherever possible, or within public rights-of-way if subsurface installation is not feasible, rather than on private property.
If adopted, the measure would urge the city to update existing above-ground facilities regulations as needed to support the infrastructure transition. LADWP has indicated that development and implementation of a master infrastructure plan could take at least one year, with supporters arguing early coordination is essential to align rebuilding efforts with long-term underground infrastructure and resilience goals.
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