HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-09-06; Council Policy No. 41 - Policy on Undergrounding Overhead Utilities. --
PAGE 1 OF 2 CITY OF CARLSBAD POLICY NO: 41
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT DATE ISSUED: 9-6-88
EFFECTIVE DATE: 9-6-88 GENERAL SUBJECT: UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES CANCELLATION DATE:
SUPERSEDES NO: SPECIFIC SUBJECT: POLICY ON UNDERGROUNDING OVERHEAD UTILITIES
COPIES TO: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department and Division Reads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File and Underground Utility Advisory Committee Members
BACKGROUND:
The State Public Utilities Commission has adopted Rule 20A which provi- des that certain funds are set aside each year by San Diego Gas and Electric to pay for undergrounding existing overhead electric facilities. Rule 20A also sets out certain guidelines in selecting areas to be undergrounded.
Currently the City has no policy on selecting or prioritizing under- grounding projects. Recent history suggests that the guidelines con- tained in Rule 20A have not always been followed. The City Council has indicted they wish to change the way projects have been selected.
PURPOSE:
To establish a policy which is consistent with Rule 20A and which also expresses other policy considerations desired by the City Council.
POLICY:
I. The proposed undergrounding shall be in the general public interest for one or more of the following reasons:
1. Such undergrounding will eliminate an unusually heavy concent- ration of overhead utility facilities.
2. The street is extensively used by the general public and carries a heavy volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
3. The street adjoins or passes through a civic area, public recreation area or an area of unusual scenic interest to the general public.
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I PAGE 2 OF 2 CITY OF CARLSBAD POLICY NO: 41
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT DATE ISSUED: 9-6-88 1
GENERAL SUBJECT: UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES
SPECIFIC SUBJECT: POLICY ON
r
UNDERGROUNDING OVERHEAD UTILITIES
COPIES TO: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department and Division Beads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File and Underground Utility Advisory Committee Members
II. Whenever possible, undergrounding projects should be in developed areas not subject to near term future redevelopment or additional development.
III. Projects qualifying under the criteria in Paragraph I above shall be prioritized as follows:
1. First priority shall be given to any qualifying project which is within or is highly visible from a scenic corridor street.
2. Second priority shall be given to any qualifying undergrounding project which meets two or three of the criteria in Paragraph I.
3. Third priority shall be given to any qualifying undergrounding project where the adjacent property owners are willing to contribute to the district.
IV. 1. Street widening projects shall not be accomplished without including undergrounding. Where Rule 20A funds are to be used, the undergrounding project shall be timed to coordinate with the street widening project which allows undergrounding funds to be conserved. Where Rule 20A funds are not available, Capital Improvement Program project funding shall include the cost of undergrounding utilities.
2. Undergrounding shall be deferred where possible on streets which have had an asphalt concrete overlay within the last two years.
V. All subdivisions or building construction projects shall be required to underground utilities. If less than 600 feet, a fee shall be paid in lieu of undergrounding to cover the estimated pro rata cost.
VI. The City shall seek to obtain an advance of funds from the San Diego Gas and Electric Company or to borrow undergrounding funds from another City to accelerate undergrounding projects.