Corte Madera Municipal Code Ch. 15.40 Underground Installation of Electric Utilities

The town council of the town of Corte Madera finds and determines that the public interest requires that facilities and wires for the extension of existing facilities for the supply and distribution of electrical energy and service, including but not limited to communication and cable television service, shall be placed underground in order to promote and preserve the health, safety and general welfare of the public, and to assure the orderly development of the town.

(Ord. 640 § 1 (part), 1976)

It is ordered by the town council that:

(1) All new extensions of existing utility distribution facilities (including but not limited to electric, communication and cable television lines), hereafter constructed or installed in the town, shall be placed underground.

(2) Utility distribution facilities to any new building or structure shall be placed underground unless special permission to construct such facilities aboveground is granted, as provided in this chapter.

(3) It will be the responsibility of the applicant for such service to make the necessary arrangements with the utility companies involved for the underground installation of facilities required for such new extension and/or service, all in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and tariffs of the respective utility or utilities on file with the California Public Utilities Commission.

(Ord. 640 § 1 (part), 1976)

The provisions of Section 15.40.020 shall not apply to:

(1) Any municipal equipment or facilities installed under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the director of community services;

(2) Poles or electroliers used exclusively for street lighting;

(3) Overhead wires connecting to antennas or serving seasonal decorative lighting attached to the exterior surface of a building by means of a bracket or other fixture, and extended from one location on the building to another location on the same building;

(4) Poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures used for the transmission of electric energy at nominal voltages in excess of 34,500 volts;

(5) Aboveground installation of equipment appurtenant to and required for underground facilities, such as transformers, amplifiers, terminal boxes, meter cabinets, and concealed ducts. These will be permitted where necessary, subject to the review and approval of size, design and location by the director of community services. Such approval may be conditioned upon the installation of specified landscaping or other screening. All aboveground installation will be inspected for appearance and workmanship;

(6) Temporary poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures used or to be used in conjunction with construction projects, or installed and maintained for a period not to exceed ten consecutive days, in order to provide emergency service.

(Ord. 640 § 1 (part), 1976)

Within any residence district, other than a multiple-dwelling district, established pursuant to Title 18 of this code, any parcel proposed to be developed for residential use may be served by overhead utility facilities if the director of community services makes each of the following findings:

(1) Such parcel is within an area which is largely developed and is served by existing overhead utility facilities;

(2) The requirement of underground installation would involve practical difficulties or impose undue hardship and is not necessary to carry out the purpose and spirit of this chapter.

(Ord. 640 § 1 (part), 1976)

The provisions of Section 15.40.020 shall not prohibit the maintenance and operation of existing overhead facilities, nor prohibit the installation of overhead service lines to facilities already served by at least one overhead utility service, nor prohibit the connection of underground service lines to existing overhead utility distribution equipment. A utility may interset additional poles or other supporting structures or increase the height of existing poles or other supporting structures if such work takes place within the existing easement and locational confines of existing overhead utility facilities. The utility may continue to maintain, repair, replace and reinforce any facility or structure to maintain the integrity of any facility or structure existing on or before the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

(Ord. 640 § 1 (part), 1976)