Chapter 15.32
UTILITY INSTALLATIONS*
Sections:
15.32.010 Undergrounding—When required.
15.32.020 Responsibility for compliance.
15.32.030 Exceptions—Generally.
15.32.040 Limitations—Approval.
15.32.050 Nonconforming facilities.
* Prior legislation: Prior code §§ 13.72.010—13.72.070.
15.32.010 Undergrounding—When required.
Except as provided in this chapter, all electrical distribution lines of less than sixty-six thousand (66,000) volts, communications, video, and similar service wires or cables that: (A) are existing and located within the boundaries of the property being developed; or (B) are existing between the property line and the centerline of the peripheral streets of the property being developed; or (C) are located along or within six feet of the lot lines of the property to be developed and do not provide service to immediate adjacent properties; shall be installed underground. (Ord. 05-20 § 1 (part))
15.32.020 Responsibility for compliance.
The developer is responsible for complying with this chapter in accordance with applicable California Public Utilities Commission Rules and Regulations. Facilities fronting public streets shall be undergrounded to the next available pole, or to a location minimizing impacts on adjacent properties and approved by the city engineer. The developer shall make all necessary arrangements with the utility company for the installation of such facility. (Ord. 05-20 § 1 (part))
15.32.030 Exceptions—Generally.
The following exceptions shall apply:
A. Utility service poles may be placed in the area within six feet of the rear lot line of the property to be developed for the sole purpose of terminating underground facilities.
B. Temporary aerial relocation of existing facilities may be allowed to accommodate construction for an agreed upon period of time based on the developer/builder obtaining valid building permits for temporary uses that comply with requirements of the zoning ordinance, building code and other applicable regulations.
C. Appurtenances and associated equipment including, but not limited to, surface-mounted transformers, pedestal-mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets, and concealed ducts in an underground system, may be placed aboveground when it is not technologically feasible to underground such facilities, as ultimately determined by the city engineer. Where such facilities are not undergrounded such appurtenances and equipment shall be screened from public view by block enclosures and/or landscaping.
D. Residential development containing three or fewer residential units are exempt from Section 15.32.010(A), (B) and (C). (Ord. 05-20 § 1 (part))
15.32.040 Limitations—Approval.
The following further limitations shall apply, subject in each case to the specific written approval of the city manager, or his or her designee, and then only on the basis of a formal request detailing the reasons therefor:
A. For developments consisting of more than three residential units but less than six hundred (600) feet of frontage or nonresidential proposals having less than six hundred (600) feet of frontage, the city manager or his or her designee may waive the requirement to underground existing aerial facilities as identified within Section 15.32.010. However, in such a situation, an estimated cost for undergrounding utilities shall be determined and cash in this amount shall be deposited with the city. This cash amount shall be held in trust by the city until an area sufficient in size to warrant the formation of an underground utility district or until costs for undergrounding a minimum distance of six hundred (600) feet, or a greater distance as determined by the city engineer, have been collected.
B. When electrical distribution lines of less than sixty-six thousand (66,000) volts, communications, video, or similar service wires or cables are located on developed property on the other side of a public right-of-way from the proposed development, the developer shall, in lieu of undergrounding such facilities, pay to the city a cash undergrounding fee equal to fifty percent (50%) of the estimated cost for undergrounding such utilities. Such fee shall be held in trust by the city until an area sufficient in size to warrant the formation of an underground utility district or other similar undergrounding program has been collected. (Ord. 05-20 § 1 (part))
15.32.050 Nonconforming facilities.
A. Buildings and structures that, on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, or any subsequent amendments thereto, are nonconforming in regard to the aboveground on-site utility lines, may continue to be used, altered or enlarged in the same manner, as if such nonconforming utility lines did not exist. However, when such buildings or structures are enlarged over two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet in area, or when alteration or enlargement requires the installation of utility lines at new locations on the building or structure, or when existing electrical capacity to the building or structure is increased one hundred percent (100%) or more, or when the building is improved in an amount of more than thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), the utility lines shall comply with the provisions of this chapter.
B. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, nonconforming structures located in an area eligible for use of Rule 20 funds, the developer/owner shall pay only ten dollars ($10.00) per foot of street frontage to the undergrounding fund. (Ord. 05-20 § 1 (part))