Resolution 13472CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO 13472
AMENDING RESOLUTION 11268 AND ESTABLISHING RULES,
REGULATIONS, AND STANDARDS FOR INSTALLATION OF
ABOVEGROUND EQUIPMENT AND ENCLOSURES WITHIN THE PUBLIC
RIGHT -OF -WAY IN UNDERGROUND DISTRICTS FOR ALL UTILITY
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
WHEREAS, the City of Alameda has granted two, non- exclusive cable franchises to provide
cable television services to the citizens of Alameda; and
WHEREAS, expert opinion has been received concerning whether or not it is feasible to
underground active electronic devices and passive subscriber taps; and
WHEREAS, the City of Alameda desires a standard approach to resolving issues that arise
from placement of aboveground equipment associated with cable communications and other utilities;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, BENT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Alameda hereby
establishes a protocol for placement of aboveground equipment within the public right-of-way.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that regulations for the location and installation of
aboveground equipment for both the cable communication and utility installations in underground
areas are attached hereto as Exhibit A and are adopted as such.
Exhibit A
RULES, REGULATIONS, AND STANDARDS FOR INSTALLATION OF ABOVEGROUND
EQUIPMENT AND ENCLOSURES WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT -OF -WAY IN
UNDERGROUND DISTRICTS FOR ALL UTTT,ITY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Policy Statement
It is the policy of the City of Alameda that all utility equipment permanently installed within the
public right -of -way be installed flush to grade level. Variation from this policy may only be granted
by the Public Works Director, or his/her designee, and will require a mitigation plan specific to each
installation location.
Definitions
a. Pedestal: Generic teiui used in this document to mean any structure (e.g. utility box, vault,
cabinet, etc.) that is installed above existing grade and is part of a communications or utility
distribution system.
Passive Pedestal: A pedestal that houses non- electrical devices, generally those below 35
volts.
c. Flush Mount: A structure (e.g. utility box, vault, cabinet, etc.) that is installed so that the
cover is flush with the surrounding grade.
Siting Hierarchy
General Summary: No aboveground utility equipment will be installed within the paved sidewalk
or planting strip area. Equipment will not be installed so as to block sight angles for driveways,
intersections or view corridors. Each installation location that has been approved for installation
of Pedestals will have a plan for mitigation. Specific requirements shall be as follows:
1. All equipment will be flush mounted within the public right -of -way.
2. If Flush Mount is not feasible, Pedestals will be located at the back of sidewalk, on the
perpendicular property line with a high - quality, camouflaged Pedestal.
3. If back of sidewalk on perpendicular property line is not possible, then back of sidewalk at
the parallel property line with a high- quality, camouflaged Pedestal.
4. So long as no suitable location is possible at the back of the sidewalk, the Public Works
Director may authorize installation within the planting strip, with strong mitigation measures.
5. At no time will equipment be installed so as to block sight angles for driveways, intersections
or view corridors.
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6 Each installation site where Pedestals will be located within the public right -of -way must
have an approved mitigation plan for both shielding the equipment from view and for storm
water runoff management.
7. Any new Pedestal will either be co- located within a three -foot radius of any other Pedestal,
or it may not be located within 150 feet of any other Pedestal.
8. Nothing in this criteria will preclude a utility from arranging with property owners for
location of Pedestals on private property.
Permit Process
Any utility installing a utility or cable communications system must submit an application
for a Right -of -Way Permit and, where required, a Building Permit, to the Central Permit
Office. Such application will, at a minimum, include an address and site plan drawn to a 1"
=10' scale on 11"x17" or larger paper for each Pedestal location. Applicants are encouraged
to request a pre - application meeting so that details of the penult process may be discussed.
2. For each location where a Pedestal is proposed, the applicant must provide evidence of
having reviewed other installation possibilities and give justification for aboveground
installation. Applicant will also have to provide evidence of having contacted adjacent
property owners (including formal homeowner association if applicable), or provide a
contacting plan, to obtain input prior to final location of the Pedestal and issuance of permit.
3. Applicant will be financially responsible for the Permit Processing Fee, as annually
established by Council Resolution, and the cost of staff time to review and process the
application and inspect the construction.
4. No work may commence until a permit has been approved and issued by Building Services.
Permit Approval Conditions for Aboveground Pedestals
When utilizing the Siting Hierarchy, Permittee will work with property owners in the
placement of aboveground Pedestals and give the homeowners first choice of location.
Where there is a formal homeowner association with rules that cover the grounds, that
homeowner association will have first choice of location.
2. Equipment will be consolidated into as few cabinets and locations as possible. Cooperative
agreements between utilities are encouraged for the co- location of equipment. Absent co-
location, a Pedestal will not be located within 150 feet of another.
3. Pedestals containing emergency power supplies must be located a minimum of 20 feet from
any residence, or shielded in such a manner to provide noise mitigation for adjacent
dwellings.
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4. Pedestals may not block any view corridors, including but not necessarily limited to the San
Francisco Bay, San Leandro Bay, the San Leandro Channel and the Estuary.
5. Pedestals will not block the view from the front of a home or yard. The preferred location
will be on the property line between two adjacent properties, in an area that does not cause
it to stand out.
6. In conjunction with City staff, applicant will develop a mitigation plan for each Pedestal
location. This mitigation plan will be a requirement for permit approval and may include
various methods of screening, use of vegetation, or special color requirements. As required,
preference on the folin rof mitigation will be given to the adjacent homeowner.
Property Owner Notices and Involvement
Applicant will hold publicized meetings with all homeowner associations well in advance
of construction in the affected areas.
2. Applicant will send each affected property owner and occupant (if different from owner), for
each proposed Pedestal location, notification by first class mail two weeks in advance of
construction activity. The notice will explain the purpose of the construction and contain a
physical description of the Pedestal, including a graphic presentation, the number of
Pedestals per block, and proposed location. The notice will provide the name and contact
information for the applicant's contact person to answer questions and address concerns.
3. Three days before construction, applicant will leave notice at each affected property advising
of the commencement of construction, describing construction, and providing contact
information. The contact and infolination point will be maintained throughout the
construction process.
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I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly
adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda in a regular meeting assembled on the 18th
day of June, 2002, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Daysog, DeWitt, Johnson, and Ken - 4.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Appezzato — 1.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WI'1'NESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said City this
19th day of June, 2002.
Lara Weisiger, City
City of Alameda