Photo by Bryan Agua on Unsplash — Photo by Bryan Agua on Unsplash

This is it, it's perfect, you have finally found the property you've been looking for! Just one last thing, which is likely one of the most important, you still need to check out that epic view. Then wait, what?! How can a gorgeous San Diego skyline be disrupted by a plethora of unattractive power lines? It's like they're photo-bombing your perfect view! Why oh why did they do this, and whose idea was this? Questions like these cross my mind on the daily when new properties hit the market with issues like these. Whomever is responsible for this may be one the most disliked guy or girl in San Diego, until now :)

Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash — Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash

In this article written back in February of this year (2018) by The San Diego Union Tribune, it shares how the city is finally going to be putting these power lines to bed, meaning underground. This project was originally established all the way back in 2009, but since then there have been many obstacles that have pushed out the project from beginning, one of which was the backlash against the utility boxes neighborhoods get after the overhead poles are removed. Once "underground" they must be accessible from somewhere, so they transition from the poles to metal boxes that can be placed really anywhere, based on the guidelines created for the project. From Kensington to parts of La Jolla and Point Loma, neighborhoods have lobbied city officials to delay planned utility undergrounding projects because they dislike the square metal boxes. The main complaints are that they often get placed in the middle of sidewalks where they reduce walkability and become magnets for graffiti. As they note in the article, it is somewhat of a trade off between seeing power lines obstruct your view or have a metal box taking over your daily walk. However, if residents can see the designs before construction begins, they can request modifications or decide against moving forward, which will make things good for all parties involved.

So although it is finally getting attention to be fixed, don't hold your breathe as a project like this can take significant time to plan and jump through unforeseen hoops. The neighborhoods listed in the first year of the five-year implementation plan are in La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Midtown, Mission Hills, North Park, Bay Terraces, Chollas View, Skyline, Clairemont, Lake Murray, Serra Mesa, Logan Heights, Fairmont Village and Southcrest. Soon, these residents will not have to endure the treacherous view obstruction by power lines and life will eventually go on :)

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