Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code Ch. 17.54 Underground Utilities and Visual Screening

This chapter ensures that, in conjunction with new developments, all utility service lines are placed underground and that certain areas and types of equipment are screened from public view. The provisions of this chapter are deemed necessary for the protection of property values and the general welfare.

(Code 1981, § 17.54.010; Ord. No. 78(part), 1975; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)

A. All utility lines installed to serve new construction shall be placed underground from an existing power pole or other point of connection off-site. The planning commission and/or city council may waive the requirements of this section if the nature of the development makes such installations unreasonable or if there are existing overhead lines and the underground location is not consistent with a likely future utility undergrounding project. For any addition to an existing building which adds at least 25 percent to the building's gross floor area, the existing utility service lines to the building shall be placed underground prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the addition. Additions to single-family residential buildings are exempted.

B. Underground cable television shall be installed in all new, multiple-family, residential planned developments and single-family subdivisions.

(Code 1981, § 17.54.020; Ord. No. 78(part), 1975; Ord. No. 166, § 9, 1983; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)

A trash receptacle enclosure shall be provided for all developments except single-family residential developments. Existing developments shall provide such enclosures within 180 days after notification by the director. Such enclosure shall be built to city specifications as filed with the director of public works and shall be of a size capable of holding the number of trash receptacles required to adequately serve the development, as estimated by the director of public works. Any receptacle, dumpster or container used for the collection and/or storage of recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, glass, plastic or cans, shall be designed and maintained in accordance with the guidelines and specifications described in section 17.58.030 (Requirements and Guidelines for Collecting and Loading of Recyclable Materials in Development Projects).

(Code 1981, § 17.54.030; Ord. No. 78(part), 1975; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)

All mechanical equipment, such as air conditioners, heaters and exposed ducting and plumbing, and all outside storage areas and loading docks shall be screened from view of public areas, public streets and affected properties. The design of proposed screening devices shall be approved by the director. Such screening shall not significantly impair views as set forth in section 17.02.040 (View preservation and restoration). The minimum distance between the screening and the equipment shall be according to the manufacturer's specifications. The director's decision may be appealed to the planning commission and the planning commission's decision may be appealable to city council pursuant to chapter 17.80 (Hearing notice and appeal procedures) of this title. For any addition to an existing building which adds at least 25 percent to the building's gross floor area, all existing mechanical equipment and existing storage areas and loading docks shall be so screened. Additions to single-family residential buildings are exempted. Such screening shall be accomplished prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for any building or addition. In appropriate circumstances, the director may approve an alternative method of reducing the visual impact in lieu of providing screening.

(Code 1981, § 17.54.040; Ord. No. 78(part), 1975; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)