Pleasant Hill Municipal Code Art. I General Provisions

The council finds that the public necessity, safety and general welfare require the installation underground of facilities and the conversion of these facilities from overhead to underground.

(1991 code § 16-1.1)

As used in this chapter:

Facility

means and includes poles, towers, supports, wires, conductors, guys, stubs, platforms, crossarms, braces, transformers, insulators, cutouts, switches, communication circuits, appliances and all other attachments and appurtenances used or useful in supplying electric, communication or similar or associated service.

Service

means and includes, but is not limited to, the product of an electrical transmission device such as electrical energy, television and telephone communications through continuous conductive material.

Underground utility zone

means an area in the city within which all facilities are required to be installed underground.

Utility

means a person supplying electric, communication, or similar or associated service by means of electrical materials or devices.

(1991 code § 16-1.2)

A. Circumstances. The council may waive the requirements that facilities be located underground under these circumstances:

1. In an industrial subdivision after recommendation by the planning commission, when the council finds that a waiver is necessary or desirable to obtain the objectives of health, safety and general welfare and is in the public interest.

2. Upon application by a person and a showing to the satisfaction of the city that:

a. Installation underground involves a threat or danger to persons or property and cannot be accomplished feasibly within applicable safety regulations; or

b. Installation underground involves an unnecessary or unusual hardship.

B. Procedure. A person who desires a waiver shall file an application with the city on a form prescribed by it. The application shall set forth reasons why the exception should be granted. The city may require the applicant to provide supporting information, including reports relating to technical and economic aspects of construction and development prepared by a qualified person.

C. Imposed conditions. In granting a waiver of underground requirements under subsection A of this section, the council may impose such conditions as it considers necessary or desirable in the public interest.

(1991 code § 16-1.3)

This chapter does not apply to the following kind of facility:

A. A facility used exclusively for a police and fire alarm box or similar municipal equipment;

B. An overhead wire attached to the exterior surface of a building and extending from one location on the building to another location on the same building;

C. A radio antenna and its associated equipment and supporting structure used for furnishing communication service;

D. Equipment appurtenant to underground facilities such as a surface-mounted transformer (except as otherwise required in accordance with PHMC § 11.15.230), a pedestal-mounted terminal box and meter cabinet, and a concealed duct;

E. Wires (exclusive of supporting structures) crossing any portion of an underground utility zone connecting to buildings on the perimeter of such portion, when such wires originate in an area from which poles and wires and associated overhead structures are not prohibited.

(1991 code § 16-1.4)