19.13.11 Underground Installation of Electrical or Communication Facilities

1. Findings. The City Council finds that the public health, safety, convenience, and welfare require that electrical distribution and telephone lines be constructed underground in an orderly manner in accordance with the requirements specified in this Section. 2. When Underground Installation is Required. Except as provided herein, underground installation is required of all electrical, telephone, cable TV, television, VOIP, Internet, and telecommunications cables, substations, lines, wires, poles, and facilities that: a. Provide direct service to the property being developed; b. Are existing and located within the boundaries of the property being developed; c. Are existing between the property line and the centerline of the peripheral streets of the property being developed; or d. Are located within the limits of any off-site street improvement work required by the approved conditions of approval for a subdivision or development project. 3. Exceptions. The following exceptions shall apply to the requirements of subsection 2 of this section: a. Utility service poles may be placed in the area within five feet of the rear lot line of the property to be developed for the sole purpose of terminating pre-existing overhead facilities; b. Certain electrical transmission lines , and guy wires and poles necessary and appurtenant to such electrical transmission lines, as specified in Figures 13.1 & 13.2; c. Small Cell Wireless facilities as allowed in Title 8; d. Temporary utilities, along with the necessary service poles, wires, and cables, during the period of authorized construction per a valid building permit; e. Appurtenances and associated equipment including, but not limited to, surfacemounted transformers, pedestal mounted terminal boxes, meter cabinets, and concealed ducts for an underground system; f. In residential areas where overhead facilities exist, overhead utility lines to serve new residential structures may be permitted if the lot or parcel was created legally pursuant to a subdivision plat or otherwise and the overhead line was permitted to continue previously by the land use authority. This subsection shall not apply to new residential subdivisions except as otherwise provided herein; and g. In permitted minor subdivisions. 4. Responsibility for Compliance. The developer or owner is responsible for complying with the requirements of this section, and he or she shall make all necessary arrangements with the utility company and pay all costs of the installation of such facilities. Figure 13.1 Figure 13.2