Victorville grants utility easement to Southern California Edison for new subdivision

The Victorville City Council on Sept. 16, 2025 granted an exclusive utility easement to Southern California Edison (SCE) on several city-owned lots to allow installation of electrical transformers serving a new single-family residential development.

City staff said the easements are needed on lettered lots that are currently part of the Landscape Maintenance Assessment District (LMAD) to permit transformers to be placed in locations necessary for energizing the subdivision's underground infrastructure. The council's action authorizes the city manager to execute the easement documents on the city's behalf.

Staff presented the item, explaining the easements would be recorded on assessor parcel numbers 045588213, 045593183, 045593184 and 045594176 (as described in the staff report). The city engineer, Freddie Bonilla, was the listed author and available for questions. Council discussion focused on who would construct and maintain landscaping around the transformer boxes; staff said the developer builds the landscaping, the city accepts the improvements after warranty periods end, and ongoing maintenance becomes the LMAD's responsibility.

A motion to adopt staff recommendations (grant the easement and authorize the city manager to execute documents) passed by a unanimous roll-call vote: Councilmember Godin, Councilmember Irving, Councilmember Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Harriman and Mayor Liz Becerra voted yes.

Staff noted the physical structure will be a transformer box with surrounding landscaping, allowing SCE access while preserving LMAD maintenance obligations.