Commonwealth Edison’s plan to install more above-ground power lines in Darien if forcing city officials  to come up with another bright idea for its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony.

Last week, Darien officials became aware of the utility company’s plan to install utility poles near 75th Street and Cass Avenue, one of them within a few feet of the tree traditionally used for the annual lighting ceremony.

Scott Coren, assistant city administrator, said the city contacted ComEd last week when city staff noticed flags marking the area just south and east of Old Lace School on the site of the ceremony.

“ComEd was preparing to trim trees prior to installation of the pole, and construction apparently was scheduled to begin Nov. 2,” Coren said. “The problem is the pole designated to be installed there would be within 3 feet of the tree, so it would be unfeasible for us to use any kind of lift to have people decorate the tree so close to the power lines.”

ComEd officials said engineers are preparing an alternative plan for the city to review, and should submit the proposal to the city within a week or two.

“We met with the city on Thursday (Oct. 15) and reviewed the site, and will follow up with a preliminary estimate shortly,” said Peter Pedraza, spokesman for ComEd. “We don’t have a target date for the new proposal, but it is a priority, and we will get it done in a timely fashion.”

The proposal will provide an estimate of the potential cost increase to bury the power lines instead of placing them above ground, Pedraza said.

Coren said ComEd could ask the city to share in the extra cost to bury the lines, but the city does not have funds earmarked for the project.

“That is not in our current budget,” Coren said.

In the mean time, city officials might have to come up with an alternative site for a tree lighting ceremony, which is  scheduled for 4 p.m. Dec. 6.

“We’ve been doing this for many years at this site, but this came up so recently we haven’t had time to really look at what we would do if ComEd installs the poles above ground,” said John Poteraske, 3rd Ward Alderman and president of the Darien Historical Society, which organizes the annual tree lighting event.

Stephanie Gurgone, executive director of the Darien Park District, said the district would be willing to allow the ceremony to take place at one of its parks in the event above ground poles are installed.

“We have plenty of parks with plenty of trees, and I think we would be willing to help out if the situation has to be changed,” Gurgone said.

The irony of a tree lighting ceremony being in jeopardy over the installation of new electric lines was not lost on Poteraske.

“In a way it is funny, but in a way it also is aggravating,” Poteraske said.

“Initially ComEd said they would let us know (about alternative plans)  last Friday, then Monday, then Tuesday, and we still have not heard back from them yet,” Poteraske said Wednesday.

Pedraza said improvements in Darien are part of the utility company’s ongoing effort to increase capacity prior to next summer.

“ComEd is making an investment throughout our service territory in anticipation of higher summer loads,” Pedroza said.