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Supervisor Veerkamp and Community Development Services, Department of Transportation, recommending the Board consider an extension of the existing Underground Utility Districts in the area of Diamond Springs as part of the Diamond Springs Parkway Project, and direct Transportation staff to begin the preliminary work and public outreach necessary for its establishment. (Est. Time: 30 Min.)
FUNDING: Tribe Funds (18%), Utility Agencies (13%), Traffic Impact Mitigation Fees (36%), Master Circulation and Funding Plan (32%), and Road Fund (<1%). (Local Funds)
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Supervisor Veerkamp and Community Development Services, Department of Transportation (Transportation), recommending the Board consider an extension of the existing Underground Utility Districts (UUD) in the area of Diamond Springs as part of the Diamond Springs Parkway Project, and direct Transportation staff to begin the preliminary work and public outreach necessary for its establishment.
Overhead utility poles and guy wires can be considered roadside hazards; a UUD can help eliminate these risks. Due to the considerable community input and the benefit to this historic area, Supervisor Veerkamp and Transportation staff recommend the Board consider the extension of the existing UUD along Missouri Flat Road, State Route 49, and the proposed Diamond Springs Parkway to further improve the aesthetics and safety of the Diamond Springs/El Dorado communities by eliminating the existing heavy concentration of utility poles and overhead lines along primary transportation routes.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On February 4, 2014 (Item 23), the Board adopted Resolution 008-2014 to create a UUD based on the limits of the Diamond Springs Parkway Project (Project), extending along State Route 49 from Fowler Lane to Bradley Drive, and along the proposed Diamond Springs Parkway from State Route 49 to Missouri Flat Road. This UUD continues along Missouri Flat Road and abuts a previously established UUD along Missouri Flat Road from Golden Center Drive north to Headington Road. The proposed new UUD would extend south to the end of Missouri Flat Road and along State Route 49 between Fowler Lane to the east and El Dorado Road to the west, as shown in Attachment A.
The proposed new UUD would require planning and coordination with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), AT&T California (AT&T), and Comcast. Caltrans Utility Encroachment Policy has specific restrictions on locations of utilities within their right of way to protect the public and highway workers.
Currently there are no active transportation projects within the limits of this proposed new UUD. Future transportation, development and utility improvement projects that trigger the relocation or replacement of utility poles would be conditioned to follow the UUD requirements of undergrounding utilities. Future projects would be required to coordinate with utility companies to provide any additional utility easements for conduits and equipment. Utility companies would be responsible for constructing new underground facilities and removing the existing overhead facilities. Utilities annually allocate funds under Rule 20 to community areas, cities and counties, to cover the cost of converting their utility overhead facilities to underground facilities.
The preliminary steps for initial coordination and planning for the formation of a UUD include public outreach to affected property owners, Caltrans concurrence and entering into agreements with the utility companies. After these steps, a public hearing to approve the UUD boundaries by the Board of Supervisor would be necessary.
ALTERNATIVES
1) The Board could decide against extension of the Project’s UUD and the existing UUD will remain unchanged.
2) The UUD extension could be formed under a separate independent project.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Transportation staff has communicated with Caltrans and the various utilities regarding potential extension of the existing UUD. Caltrans and the various utilities were receptive to the initial communication about this potential UUD.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
[This section is completed by the CAO's Office. This section is required]
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Project is included in Transportation’s 2017 CIP, which was adopted by the Board on June 27, 2017 (Item 25), and is funded by local transportation funds. There is no net County cost associated with this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Community Development Services, Department of Transportation