Exempt for Underground Utilities - 2014CITY of CAMPBELL
Community Development Department
June 6, 2014
Albert Park
1499 Parsons Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008
Re: Determination of Exempt Status for Undergrounding of Utilities
1499 Parsons Ave.
BLD2013-00956
Dear Mr. Park,
The City of Campbell's Community Development Department is reviewing a building
permit submittal for asingle-story addition and remodel of an existing single-story
residence at 1499 Parsons Avenue (BLD2013-00956). Based on the size of the proposed
addition, this project triggers the requirement to underground all existing and proposed
overhead utility lines (service drops) on the property. However, the Campbell
Municipal Code Section 21.18.140(E) states that projects shall be exempt from this
requirement in the following circumstances:
1. Existing or proposed major electrical transmission lines;
2. A service upgrade, modification, or relocation of an existing electrical panel that is unrelated
to site improvements that would otherwise require undergrounding of utilities in compliance
with this section, and which would not result in an increase in overhead utility line length
3. Underground installations that would require substantially crossing the rear yard of an
adjacent single family residential property; and
4. Underground installations precluded b~ a topographical, soil, or other environmental
condition
You have submitted the following evidence to establish the criteria for an exemption:
- A request letter explaining the site conditions and the infeasibility of
undergrounding existing utility lines;
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BLD2013-00956 ~~ 1499 Parsons Ave.
Page 2 of 2
- Written correspondence with PG&E including e-mail correspondence with
Natalie Gollob, Senior Engineering Estimator-Electric;
- A copy of a San Jose Water Company plan establishing the location and depth of
existing wet utilities;
- Documentation of a drainage easement on your property held by Hoffman
Terraces, Inc.
The Community Development Department has reviewed the information provided and
has determined that this project is exempt from the utility undergrounding requirement
under Criterion #3 (underground installations that would require substantially crossing
the rear yard of an adjacent single-family property). The property's overhead utility
service drop is currently taken from the nearest existing utility pole, which is located on
the adjacent property at 1485 Parsons Avenue, approximately 1 foot from your north
side property line. The communications from PG&E establish it is infeasible to
underground the service drop from this pole because there is an existing storm drain
pipe in an easement running along your north property line for the full length of the
property. This pipe prevents PG&E from obtaining the required clearance from wet
utilities, therefore the underground utility line cannot cross its path. Underground
service could be taken from another utility pole located on the adjacent property to the
south (1509 Parsons Avenue). However, this pole is located along the neighbor's south
property line, approximately 77 feet from your property. Taking underground utility
service from this pole would require you to obtain an easement from your neighbor and
trench across the majority of his property. As a result, the Community Development
Department has determined that Criterion #3 of CMC 21.18.140(E) has been met, and
this project is deemed to be exempt from the requirement to place existing utilities
underground.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at (408) 866-2144 or by
email at MariyaHC cityofcampbell.com.
Sincerely,
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Mariya Hodge
Project Planner
Cc: Aki Snelling, Planning Manager
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