Overhead utility lines have an undesirable impact on the character
and quality of the neighborhoods in the City. As a prominent part
of the streetscape, overhead utility lines detract from the visual
quality of the neighborhoods, and increase the threat of fire due
to downed utility lines.
New development within the City makes necessary the construction
of additional utility lines, and will thereby contribute to the negative
effects of urbanization by impairing views and increasing the risk
of fire due to downed utility lines.
The intent of this chapter is to assure that, in conjunction
with all new development, all on-site utility service lines are placed
underground. It is also the intent of this chapter to assure that
new development within the Rural Residential Districts and parts of
the Hillside Districts which create new negative urban effects mitigate
those impacts to some extent through the payment of a fee to underground
utilities along the City's arterial and collector streets in those
districts.
The provisions of this chapter are hereby deemed necessary for
the protection of property, property values and the general welfare.
(08-05)
Applicants for development approvals or permits shall pay a
utility improvement fee.
A. Area
of Benefit
The utility improvement fee shall apply only to property in
the RR Districts and in the Hillside District, as shown on Figure
16.151.020.1, hereinafter referred to as the "area of benefit."
B. Time
for Payment of Fee
1. Parcel and Tract Maps
The applicant shall pay a utility improvement fee prior to the
recordation of a parcel or tract map within the area of benefit if
both the following are true:
a. The fee is collected either (1) for improvements or facilities for
which the City has an account, appropriated funds and adopted a proposed
construction schedule or (2) to reimburse the City for expenditures
previously made; and
b. The Planning Commission has not deferred collection of the fee to
the time of issuance of building permits for the applicant's property,
in which case the fee shall be due prior to the issuance of building
permits for the applicant's property.
If neither of the conditions in Section 16.151.020.B.1.a is
satisfied, the fee shall be due prior to the date of final inspection
or the date of issuance of the certificate of occupancy, whichever
occurs first.
|
2. Building Permits, Conditional Use Permits, and Specific Plans
If no utility improvement fee, as provided in this part, has
been previously paid for the property, the applicant shall pay a utility
improvement fee prior to the issuance of a building permit for any
single-family residential structure.
C. Amount
of Fee
The utility improvement fee shall be as set forth in separate
ordinance and as amended from time to time.
(08-05)
New utility lines installed to provide service to new developments
or provide upgraded service to a single existing development shall
be placed underground, except as provided by the utility service provider's
franchise agreement or if the new or upgraded utility lines will be
larger than 66KV. The property owner and/or developer installing,
requesting or requiring the installation of the lines, shall be responsible
for placing utility lines underground and shall make the necessary
arrangements with the serving utility(ies).
(08-05)
As property within the area of benefit, but not currently within the City, is annexed to the City, such property shall be immediately subject to the provisions of Sections
16.309.010 and
17.016.060, except that no fee shall be required from property developed for residential purposes until 60 days after such annexation.
(08-05)