Chapter 18.02
Underground Electrical and Communication Facilities
Sections:
18.02.020 Underground installation required.
18.02.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the term "electrical or communication facilities" shall mean facilities carrying any electrical energy, including but not limited to, electric power, telephone, telegraph and cable television; provided, however, that the terms shall not include the following facilities:
(a) Electric utility substations, surface mounted transformers and switching facilities.
(b) Electric transmission systems of a voltage of 55 KV or more and equivalent communication facilities.
(c) Telephone pedestals and other equivalent communication facilities.
(d) Street lighting standards.
(e) Police and fire sirens or any similar municipal equipment, including traffic control equipment. (Ord. 274 § 1, Nov. 18th, 1981).
18.02.020 Underground installation required.
(a) Transmission lines. All electrical and communication facilities other than electrical or communication services located on private property shall be installed underground by the utility owning said facility in the following cases:
(1) When it becomes necessary to remove existing overhead facilities for a distance of over 500 feet because of a roadway widening project or other similar reason.
(2) When existing overhead facilities for a distance of over 500 feet are to be replaced; provided, however, this provision shall not apply to replacements due solely to casualty damage nor to replacement of wire only.
(3) When any electrical or communication facilities are extended beyond those facilities existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
(4) When another utility having facilities along the same street or easement places its facilities underground for a distance of over 500 feet.
All undergrounding of facilities initiated by a utility company must have approval of the Mayor prior to undertaking such project.
(b) Services to be installed underground. All electrical and communications services located on private property shall be installed underground by the owner of the property in the following cases:
(1) All new electrical and communication services from and overhead or underground facility to service connections of structures shall be installed underground.
(2) All rebuilt or relocated electrical or communication service lines from an overhead or underground facility to service connections of structures shall be installed underground unless such rebuilding or relocation involves a change in the overhead service line only without a change in the corresponding service entrance facilities.
(3) All existing electrical and communication services shall be converted to underground by the owner or owners of the property upon which said services are located, or other persons, firms or corporations acting in the owner’s behalf, within 90 days after notification by the City in accordance with R.C.W. 35.96.050 that underground facilities are available. (Ord. 274 § 2, Nov. 18th, 1981).
18.02.030 Variances.
(a) A variance from the underground installation requirements of this chapter may be granted by the DuPont City Council upon the recommendation of the City Planning Agency after receipt of an application from the utility or property owner concerned if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the council that the variance is in the interest of the general health, welfare and safety of the residents of the community and the traveling public and one of the following conditions exist:
(1) It is technologically unsound to require undergrounding of a particular facility or in a particular location; or
(2) That the cost of underground installation when compared to overhead installation is disproportionate in comparison to the benefit to be gained by the property and/or the public and is disproportionately high when compared to other properties or locations; or
(3) Where the area in which undergrounding is required has not established a sufficient growth pattern to permit the determination of ultimate facility requirements or major transmission routes.
(b) When granting a variance, the City Council may attach conditions to the granting of said variance including placing a time limit on the duration of such variance. (Ord. 274 § 3, Nov. 18th, 1981).