Hidden Hills Municipal Code Art. B Undergrounding of Utilities

All electrical, telephone, Community Antenna Television System and similar service wires or cables, which provide direct service to new buildings and structures, shall be installed underground.

(Ord. No. 307, § 3, 7-23-01; Ord. No. 320, § 2, 9-25-06)

A. A property owner shall place all electrical, telephone, Community Antenna Television System, and similar service wires or cables underground, or if the City Engineer determines that undergrounding is infeasible, a property owner shall install a conduit so that the property will be ready to receive underground service at such time as underground service is available, if the owner is altering, repairing or renovating an existing building or performing grading work and either of the following criteria is satisfied:

1. The alteration, repair, renovation or grading would impact the connection to the existing electric, telephone, Community Antenna Television System, and similar service wires or cables; or

2. The cost of the alteration, repair or renovation equals or exceeds 30 percent of the replacement cost of the building or if more than 30 percent of the square footage of the building is being altered, repaired or renovated.

Any decision of the City Engineer pursuant to this paragraph shall be in writing and be provided to the property owner.

B. Upon application in writing by the property owner and payment of a fee in an amount as set by the City Council, the City Council may grant a waiver from the requirements of this Section 5-7B-2 if the City Council finds that the undergrounding of electrical, telephone, Community Antenna Television Systems and similar service wires or cables or the installation of conduits for the future undergrounding of such wires or cables is not practicable due to the nature of the alteration, repair or renovation or the physical condition of the property.

C. If a waiver from the requirements of this Section 5-7B-2 is granted by the City Council, that waiver shall not become effective unless and until the property owner enters into a covenant with the City agreeing not to protest the formation of an underground utility district and further agreeing to prepare the property to accept underground utility lines in accordance with the applicable rules, regulations and tariffs of the utility involved at the time that the undergrounding is performed whether or not such undergrounding is installed pursuant to a utility district. The covenant shall be in a form approved by the City Attorney and shall be recorded against the property.

(Ord. No. 307, § 3, 7-23-01; Ord. No. 320, § 2, 9-25-06)

The property owner shall make the necessary arrangements with each utility or cable company for the installation of underground facilities.

(Ord. No. 307, § 3, 7-23-01; Ord. No. 320, § 2, 9-25-06)

For the purposes of this Article, equipment appurtenant to underground facilities such as, but not limited to, surface mounted transformers, pedestal mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets, and concealed ducts may be placed above ground unless the project is conditioned otherwise.

(Ord. No. 307, § 3, 7-23-01; Ord. No. 320, § 2, 9-25-06)

Temporary overhead poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures may be permitted for the period during which a valid building permit has been issued or for emergency services for less than ten days or other temporary purposes as approved by the City Engineer.

(Ord. No. 307, § 3, 7-23-01; Ord. No. 320, § 2, 9-25-06)

A property owner aggrieved by any decision of the City Engineer may appeal that decision to the City Council prior to the expiration of any building plans submitted to the City pursuant to this Article. A written appeal shall be filed with the City Clerk accompanied by a fee in an amount as set by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 307, § 3, 7-23-01; Ord. No. 320, § 2, 9-25-06)