Utility Waiver - 2001 CITY OF CAMPBELL
Community Development Department - Current Planning
March 1,2001
Ms. Trisha Toney
640 Harriet Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008
Re: Underground Utility Waiver
640 Virginia Avenue
Dear Ms. Tonet:
Please be advised that the Community Development Director with the concurrence of the
Land Development Manager, on behalf of the City Engineer, has reviewed your request to
permit overhead services in conjunction with the proposed addition to your existing residence
on the above-referenced property in lieu of the requirement to underground utilities. This
request has been granted as a waiver of the requirement to underground utilities due to the
limited likelihood that other utility lines will be placed underground in your neighborhood and
the additional cost of having to underground the utility lines across your rear yard that has
established vegetation and hardscape.
If you should have any questions regarding this determination, please do not hesitate to
contact the undersigned at 866-2144.
Sincerely,
Tim J. Haley
Associate Planner
cc: Lynn Penoyer, Land Development Manager
Frank Mills, Senior Building Inspector
GeoffBradley, Community Development Director
70 North First Street · Campbell, California 95OO8- 1436 - TEL 408.866.2140 - FaX 408.866.8381 - TDD 408.866.2790
Request: I would like to i~_~tall a new combination pal. ~ with 200A service.
For the purpose of my project, I could keep the current service
and do the upgrades necessary by keeping the existing meter
and main breaker and placing a sub panel next to the
current one. I can then run all my new wiring to the sub panel which
would not require a new 200A service.
However, I would rather put in a new combination panel because
it looks nicer; it is cleaner; and it is a better job.
In order to do this, I need a variance from you to enable
me to bring in the power from overhead, as it currently is,
and as it is currently done in the houses around me.
1. Unusual cost of utility installation (overhead vs. underground)
Putting in underground would require digging a trench at least
3 feet deep through my tree roots. It might require me to even
remove one tree, and I may have to hand dig around the drip line
of a second tree. It would also require me to remove and replace
several square feet of my decorative concrete patio in the back yard.
a) A minimum estimate for labor is $45/hour. To hire someone to dig
the trench would be a minimum of a day for 2 people. (at least $720)
b) To saw cut the concrete is approximately $65/hour and it would
probably take between 3 and 4 hours. (at least $195)
c) I do not know if I can let the concrete water run across the yard or if
I have to vacuum it up. If I have to vacuum it up and dispose of
it in a special way, this will be an additional expense.
d) I will have to dispose of the concrete which will be an additional
charge from the landfill.
e) The conduit that would be placed in the ground costs about $2/foot for
materials, and the total vertical/horizontal distance is about 40 feet
(not including the riser). (at least $80)
f) If it is necessary to remove a tree, this will take at least
half a day plus the expense of a stump grinder, tree surgeon,
and landfill charge.
g) I would need to purchase and re-pour the concrete in the areas that
are taken out.
h) The pole is not on my property and so there is some discomfort to
my neighbor when I have the hole dug under the fence to the pole.
All of the above costs and issues go away if I can leave the
utility overhead.
2. Compatibility with existing use, neighborhood and other
pertinent environmental features particular to the project site.
a) Currently both my utility and my neighbors' utility are overhead.
b) There are many other wires hanging off the utility pole. Removing
my single wire will not change the aesthetics of the neighborhood or
surrounding yards for the better.
c) There are several trees on the property. Two of these trees
may be in the way of the job if done underground. It may require the
removal of one tree and hand digging around the drip line of another tree.