Lancaster Municipal Code Art. II Installation/Relocation for New/Expanded Development

The city council finds that the public necessity, health, safety or welfare requires that all permanent existing or proposed electric, communication, or similar or associated service(s) having a nominal voltage less than sixty-six thousand (66,000) volts be provided underground.

(Prior code § 10-2.1)

In order to implement this undergrounding, no new permanent poles, overhead wires, and associated overhead structures supplying electric, communication, or similar or associated service not required for appropriate maintenance; facility upgrades; maintenance of structural integrity (i.e., guy wires); street lighting system; fire alarm devices; or traffic control apparatus shall be installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this article except as provided in Sections 13.20.160 and 13.20.190.

(Prior code § 10-2.2)

All utilities for on-site and distribution service(s) to all proposed subdivisions, building sites and structures shall be installed underground. The owner or developer is responsible for complying with the requirements of this section and shall make all the necessary arrangements as required by the serving utilities for the installation of such facilities. For the purpose of this section, surface-mounted transformers, pedestal-mounted terminal meter cabinets, and concealed ducts in underground system may be placed above ground.

(Prior code § 10-2.3)

When the approval of subdivisions, building sites and structures requires the improvement of public streets and such street improvements will result in the removal and/or relocation of existing electric, communication, or similar or associated utility service(s), the owner or developer shall bear the cost of undergrounding such utility service(s). The portion undergrounded shall extend to the first existing utility service pole beyond the limits of the proposed street improvements. This section shall not apply to any projects of four or less single-family residential lots or units or new building(s) on any lot which in total do not exceed fifty (50) percent of the floor area of all existing buildings prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this article.

(Prior code § 10-2.4)

Prior to the approval of any final map, parcel map or development plan, whichever occurs first, the owner or developer shall provide the city with a letter of compliance with Section 13.20.160 from the serving utility.

(Prior code § 10-2.5)

All existing overhead utility service(s) serving lot(s) not within the proposed development but served from utility lines which are required to be underground shall be converted by the developer to underground service. Nothing in this section shall require the developer to convert any on-site existing overhead service(s) to underground service on property not within the development.

(Prior code § 10-2.6)

The requirements of this article or the serving utility(ies) in unusual or hardship cases may be appealed to the city engineer. The city engineer in cooperation with the serving utility(ies) may grant exceptions to the strict application of this article if he finds that an unusual or hardship case exists.

The city council from time to time shall establish a cost of undergrounding above which a hardship is applicable. In these cases the developer shall pay to the city up to this established cost. The city shall use these funds to underground facilities throughout the city.

(Prior code § 10-2.7)