AgdaPkt 2002-11-18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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surfaced is the difference in the type of overhead power lines from one location to another. When we ask for property owners to upgrade sewer or water lines, these lines service the property being developed. The City does not ask people to upgrade major sewer or water lines that are intended to serve large portions of the City. In the case of power lines, some of the lines are for service to the property, but others mJgl'it be major transmission lines that do not serve the property, but are very expensive to put underground. To resolve the above mentioned problems, the staff is recommending that the language again be amended. This new amendment would allow an option for undergrounding: either do the undergrounding or pay a fee of $100/foot of frontage. This would provide a fair method for all development to help with undergroundJng~.costs. Larger projects, such as those requiring a Subdivision or a Planned Development Permit, would still be required to underground utilities along their frontage as a condition of approval. The fee is established by Resolution. The fee of $100.00 per foot was determined based on the following: Approximate cost of undergrounding a large area = $400/ft.~ Cost of each side of street = $200/ff. Assume half of overhead wiring is for local service - half to be paid by Rule 20A (Rule 20A funds come from utility users) = $100/ft. By putting money into an undergrounding fund and also using Rule 20A funds, we can start programming more undergrounding projects along the major roadways in Redwood City. The new section of the Ordinance reads as follows: Section 18.242. UNDERGROUND UTILITIES: A. Upon the construction of a new commercial building, the electrical, telephone and cable TV lines will be installed underqround along the street frontage as well as on the subject property. In lieu of the underground requirements along the street frontage associated with the construction of ~ new commercial building. A developer may pay a fee, as established by resolution of the Cib/ Council, into the city's Utility Underqroundinq Fund. Said fee will not exceed the costs' associated with the required underqroundinq. B. Upon Substantial remodeling of a commercial building, the existinq and new electrical, telephone, and cable TV lines connected to the building will bP. installed underqround. C. This Section will not apply to underqroundinq required as part of a subdivision or other permit approval. This is the approximate cost per foot of the Roosevelt Avenue undergrounding project, which is the most recent. Since costs can vary widely, this seemed the most reasonable project to determine costs.