San Juan Bautista Municipal Code Art. 11 Underground Utilities

The regulations of this Article are intended to promote and to provide in subdivisions improved under the provisions of this Chapter an increase in safety and welfare for both residents of such land division and the public in general, and to prolong the economic life of land divisions, enhance views, scenic attributes and the general living environment.

All utility distribution or communication facilities supplying electric, communication or similar or associated services, installed in and for the purpose of supplying such service to any residentially zoned subdivision requiring the filing of a final map shall be placed underground. All facilities shall be placed in underground utility boxes or vaults that are flush with the surrounding ground surface, unless the facility is screened from view in a manner acceptable to the Planning Commission. Distribution facilities do not include metal poles used for street lighting, traffic signals, pedestals for police and fire system communications and alarms, and facilities used to carry voltages higher than thrity-five thousand (35,000) volts.

The subdivider is responsible for complying with all requirements of this Article, and shall make the necessary arrangements with the utility or communication companies involved for the installation of the facilities required by SJBMC 10-2-805.

The subdivider or a public utility or communication company may request that the requirements of this Article be varied by submitting to the Planning Commission a statement describing fully the nature and extent of such variance, and the reasons for which it is requested.

The City Council upon consideration of a request to vary the requirements of this Article, and upon finding from the evidence presented that a balancing of the requirements of the public health, safety and general welfare with the feasibility of meeting such requirements does not warrant the strict application of the requirements of this Article, by reason of economic feasibility, soil, topography, compatibility of surrounding area, future potential number of building sites affected, or that the area to be undergrounded does not include both sides of the street for at least one (1) block or six hundred feet (600′), may grant a variance in its approval of the tentative map for installing overhead distribution facilities. The City Council in making the above finding to grant variances to the requirements of this Article shall designate such conditions in connection therewith as will in its opinion best serve the intent of this Article.