§ 16.16.530. Undergrounding of utilities.

A.

By reasons of public necessity, health, safety or welfare, all proposed electrical, communication or similar or associated service(s) having a nominal voltage of less than thirty-five thousand volts, shall be installed underground, when not in conflict with the rules and regulations of the California Public Utilities Commission.

B.

In order to implement this undergrounding, no new permanent poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures supplying electric, communication or similar or associated service shall be installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this article except as provided in Section 16.16.540 of this article.

C.

All utilities for on-site and distribution service(s) to all proposed subdivisions, building sites and structures shall be installed underground except as otherwise stated in this chapter. The owner or developer is responsible for complying with the requirements of this section and shall make all the necessary arrangements as required by the serving utility(ies) for the installation of such facilities. For the purpose of this section, appurtenances and associated equipment such as but not limited to, surface-mounted transformers, pedestal-mounted terminal meter cabinets, and concealed ducts in underground system(s) may be placed above ground within private property and not in the street right-of-way or alleys.

D.

When the approval of subdivisions, building sites and structures requires the improvement of public streets and such street improvements will result in the removal and/or relocation of existing electric, communication or similar or associated utility service(s), the owner or developer shall bear the cost of undergrounding such utility service(s). The portion underground shall extend to the first existing utility service pole beyond the limits of the proposed street improvements.

E.

All existing overhead utility services(s) serving lot(s) not within the proposed development but served from utility lines which are required to be installed underground shall be converted by the developer to underground service. Prior to the approval of any final map, parcel map or development plan, whichever occurs first, the owner or developer shall provide the city with a letter of compliance with this section of this chapter from the serving utility(ies).

F.

The requirements of this section or the serving utility(ies) in unusual or hardship cases may be appealed to the city engineer. The city engineer, upon approval by the city council, in cooperation with the serving utility(ies) may grant exceptions to the strict application of this article if he finds that an unusual or hardship case exists.

(Ord. 1095 §5 (Exh. A (part)), 2003: Ord. 1094 §5 (Exh. A (part)), 2003).