HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1984/04/24 Item 5,5a COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
Item 5, 5a
Meeting Date 4/24/84
ITEM TITLE: Public Hearing to consider request for deferral of
undergrounding utility services to 510 Otis Street
a. Resolution /Z5-97 Approving deferral of undergrounding
utility services x510 Otis Street
SUBMITTED BY: City Engineer (4/5ths Vote: Yes No X )
REVIEWED BY: City Manager,
The City Code requires that all new structures, except for room additions or
single family dwellings, must be served by underground utilities. The owner
of the property at 510 Otis Street is adding a second dwelling unit to the
existing house. This constitutes the requirement to place all existing
overhead utilities underground.
The owner has requested a deferral of the undergrounding requirements.
According to Chapter 12.32 of the Municipal Code, the request must be
considered by the Council at a public hearing.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council hold the subject public hearing to
consider the deferral request and adopt a resolution deferring the
undergrounding requirements.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION: Not applicable.
DISCUSSION:
On February 1 , 1984, a building permit was applied for to construct an
attached unit to the existing residence at 510 Otis Street. In accordance
with Section 15.32.030 of the City Code, the owner is required to provide
underground service for all utilities. Acting as agent for the owner, Glen
Walthall of Mr. Build Environmental , contractor, applied for a deferral of the
undergrounding requirements stating that the undergrounding is:
1 . Impractical because the nearest pole for service is 150 feet from the site
and the cost is estimated at $7,000.00.
2. Incompatible with the present development of the area.
3. Premature because of existing conditions of the surrounding properties.
Provisions called out in Section 15.32.070 of the Code allow for a deferral of
the undergrounding if all of the following facts exist:
A. That extraordinary conditions exist to the extent that enforcement of this
subsection would result in unnecessary hardship to the owner or utility
company;
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Page 2, Item 5, 5a
Meeting Date 4/24/84
B. That such a deferral will not, under the circumstances of the particular
case, be detrimental to the health, safety or general welfare of the
neighborhood.
Upon a field investigation, it was found that the existing dwelling at this
address is served by overhead lines from the adjoining alley at the rear, as
are all of the residences on this block of Otis Street.
According to SDG&E, a trench would have to be dug from a pole located
approximately 130 feet away from the property. This entails sawcutting the
existing concrete alley, trenching, laying the 2-inch conduit, then replacing
the concrete after backfilling. This would result in a longitudinal patch
with a horizontal sweep to cross the alley. This could present a future
maintenance problem, not to mention the unsightly patchwork.
An electrical contracting company, Johnson and Sons Foothill Electric,
estimated a cost of $6,000.00 for the underground electrical service. With
the installation of telephone and CATV lines, the total would reach
$7,000.00. This results in the undergrounding costs being 12.5% of the
$56,000 valuation of the addition.
This area is not listed on any priority list for the formation of an
undergrounding district. The existing overhead lines will remain
indefinitely. One additional overhead service will not be noticeable or be
detrimental to the citizens of the neighborhood.
Based on these findings, the benefits derived from enforcing the
undergrounding requirements do not outweigh the cost and possible future
maintenance problems caused by the work. It is the recommendation of this
department that the Council approve the request and direct the City Engineer
to have a deferral agreement prepared for the Council 's approval . This
agreement will include the condition that the owner will not protest in the
case that an undergrounding district is formed.
Slides are available for Council viewing.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
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WPC 0990E
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