5. Shoreline Utilities

Goal SA-25: Manage the provision of public and private utilities within the shoreline area to provide for safe and healthy water and sanitary sewer service, while protecting and enhancing the water quality and habitat value of the shoreline.

Policy SA-25.1: Locate new utilities and related appurtenances outside of the shoreline area, unless this location is reasonably necessary for the efficient operation of the utility.

Utilities are services that produce and carry electric power, gas, sewage, water, communications and oil. The provision of these services and the appurtenances associated with them can create substantial impacts on the landscape and the functioning of the natural ecosystem. To minimize potential impacts, these facilities should be located outside of the shoreline area, and in particular, outside of the aquatic environment, where feasible. If necessary within the shoreline, utility facilities should be located and designed in a manner that preserves the natural landscape and shoreline ecology, and minimizes conflicts with present and planned land uses.

Alternative energy use such as solar- and wind-based energy systems should be encouraged within the shoreline environment, provided that any potential adverse impacts are minimized.

Policy SA-25.2: Minimize impacts from the location, design, and maintenance of utility facilities located within the shoreline.

Careful planning and design is required to address impacts such as soil disturbance and intrusion on the visual setting. Potential adverse impacts should be minimized through the location, design and construction techniques used. For instance, where utility systems cross shoreline areas, clearing for installation or maintenance should be kept to a minimum width necessary to minimize impacts to trees and vegetation. Utilities should also be properly installed and maintained to protect the shoreline environment and water from contamination. The City should require location of utility lines prior to construction to avoid damaging the lines, incurring biological impacts, during construction.

Upon completion of utility installation or maintenance projects on shorelines, the shoreline area should be restored to pre-project configuration, replanted with native species and provided with maintenance care until the newly planted vegetation is established.

Even with revegetation, planting restrictions may limit the species that are replanted. As a result, existing functions may not be able to be fully restored. For this reason, utility corridors should be located outside of the shoreline jurisdiction, where possible.

Policy SA-25.3: Encourage consolidation of utilities within existing rights-of-way or corridors.

In order to minimize the extent of shoreline modified by improvements, utility facilities should utilize existing transportation and utility sites, rights-of-way and corridors whenever practicable, rather than creating new corridors in the shoreline environment. Joint use of rights-of-way and corridors in shoreline areas should be encouraged.

Policy SA-25.4: Locate utility facilities and corridors to protect scenic views and prevent impacts to the aesthetic qualities of the shoreline.

Utility lines and facilities, when they must be placed in a shoreline area, should be located so that they do not obstruct or destroy scenic views. Whenever feasible, these facilities should be placed underground, or designed to do minimal damage to the aesthetic qualities of the shoreline area.