11.25.040 Deferments of underground placement.
(A) Deferment of underground placement of off-site lines may be requested from the public works director for a (re)development with small frontage, where the cost is substantially more per unit length than it would otherwise be if a longer length (usually a minimum of six hundred sixty (660) feet), including the (re)development frontage, was being placed underground at the same time. At all times, on-site lines shall be placed underground.
A request for deferment shall be made in writing to the public works director and include the following:
(1) The (re)developer shall procure from the appropriate utility companies a reliable estimate of the current cost for underground placement of what is required along the (re)development frontage, including new and existing lines in the adjacent off-site frontage.
(2) The (re)developer shall procure from the appropriate utility companies a reliable estimate of the current cost for underground placement of a longer, more practical length that includes the (re)development frontage, usually a minimum of six hundred sixty (660) feet.
(3) If the project involves improvements in the public right-of-way (bike paths, sidewalks, landscaping, etc.) and deferment of underground placement will involve costs of future restoration of those improvements, the (re)developer shall furnish a reliable estimate of such future restoration costs in current dollars.
(B) In reviewing a request for deferment, the public works director shall consider the costs of installing overhead utilities, the cost of placing the utilities underground, and the status of development in the area affected by the request.
(C) If deferment is authorized by the public works director, the (re)developer shall deposit with the city a sum sufficient to cover all deferred construction required herein. Monies received shall be used by the city for placing utilities underground associated with (re)developments within the city boundaries.
(D) Utility companies may request deferment of underground placement for power or communication line extensions through undeveloped areas. The request with justification shall be submitted to the public works director. No deferred compensation fees will be required for this type of deferment.
(E) If deferment is denied by the public works director, the (re)developer or utility company may appeal the public works director’s decision to the common council.
(F) If deferment is approved by the public works director, an interested party who is affected by the decision may appeal the decision to the common council. (Ord. No. 2018-09, § 1, 12-4-18. 1976 Code § 18-6-4)