75A - PH - UNDERGROUND UNTILITY INSTALLATIONS

Home Browse Search

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 2: In order to implement a regulatory framework that both protects the health, safety, and welfare of the city and limits undue strain on homeowners, business operators and developers, Section 41 -626 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code is hereby amended such that it reads as follows: Sec. 41 -626. - Underground utility installations. (a) Except as otherwise provided for in subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this section, whenever any property is developed with new or relocated buildings or structures, or whenever floor area in excess of twenty -five (25) per -c-ent percent of the existing floor area is added to an existing non - residential or multi -family structure, 2i:twenty- five (26) fifty (50) percent of the existing floor area is added to an existing single family or duplex (two-unit) structure building, or whenever a residential building or use is converted to any nonresidential purpose or use, or whenever service is changed for any reason, all electrical, telephone, community antenna television and similar service wires or cables which provide direct service to the property being developed, added to, or converted, shall, within the exterior boundary lines of such property, be installed underground. Conduits required for telephone or community antenna television shall be installed to utility specifications by the electrical permit holder prior to inspection of electrical conduit. (b) For existing single - family and duplex (two - family) structures, a new service meter may be installed without the utility wires and cables being installed underground provided that the new meter to be installed is a dual function service box which may be converted for underground service when appropriate. (c) For existing multifamily, commercial, and industrial structures, a change of service may be permitted with a waiver from the requirements of subsection (a), above, if approved by the planning director. Waivers may be granted if, after a review of aesthetic and technical considerations, a determination is made that environmental or other conditions affecting the site make the underground installation of wires or cables unreasonable or impractical. Requests for waivers shall be in writing on forms provided by the planning department. The decision of the designee may be appealed to the planning commission by filing an appeal application to the planning department within ten (10) days. The decision of the planning commission shall be final. The form and content of the waiver application and appeal application shall be determined by the executive director of the planning and building safety agency. (d) For existing single - family and duplex (two -unit) structures, a waiver as outlinesd in subsection (c) may be granted for expansion of the existing structures as referenced in subsection (a, provided no additional dwelling units are created. Ordinance No. NS -XXX Page 2 of 4 75A -12