Alameda County Municipal Code Ch. 16.28 Underground Utilities

The regulations of this chapter are intended to promote and to provide in subdivisions improved under the provisions of this title an increase in safety and welfare for both the residents of such land division and the public in general, and to prolong the economic life of land divisions, enhance views, scenic attributes and the general living environment.

(Prior gen. code § 8-8.0)

All utility distribution or communication facilities supplying electric, communication, or similar or associated services, installed in and for the purpose of supplying such service to any residentially zoned subdivision requiring the filing of a final map shall be placed underground. Underground utility distribution facilities as herein described may be required by the advisory agency for any other subdivision. Distribution facilities do not include metal poles used for street lighting, traffic signals, pedestals for police and fire system communications and alarms, pad-mounted transformers pedestals, pedestal-mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets, substations, and facilities used to carry voltages higher than thirty-five thousand (35,000) volts.

(Ord. 95-17 § 1 (part): prior gen. code § 8-8.1)

The subdivider is responsible for complying with all requirements of this chapter, and shall make the necessary arrangements with the utility or communication companies involved for the installation of the facilities required by Section 16.28.020 of this chapter.

(Prior gen. code § 8-8.2)

The subdivider or a public utility or communication company may request that the requirements of this chapter be varied by submitting to the advisory agency prior to action on the tentative map a statement describing fully the nature and extent of such variance, and the reasons for which it is requested.

(Prior gen. code § 8-8.4)

The advisory agency upon consideration of a request to vary the requirements of this chapter, and upon finding from the evidence presented that a balancing of the requirements of the public health, safety and general welfare with the feasibility of meeting such requirements does not warrant the strict application of the requirements of this chapter, by reasons of economic feasibility, soil, topography, compatibility of surrounding area, future potential number of building sites affected, or that the area to be undergrounded does not include both sides of the street for at least one block or six hundred (600) feet, may grant a variance in its approval of the tentative map for installing overhead distribution facilities. The advisory agency in making the above finding to grant variances to the requirements of this chapter shall designate such conditions in connection therewith as will in its opinion best serve the intent of the chapter.

(Prior gen. code § 8-8.5)