HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIS 2023-04-03 Item 1E - Ordinance - TMC Chapters 11.04 & 11.28 Amendments Regarding Utility UndergroundingCity of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
Public Works Deportment - Harr' Pon ekonti, Director/City Engineer
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee
FROM: Hari Ponnekanti, Public Works Director/City Engineer
BY: Josh Hartley, Public Works Deputy Director Transportation
CC: Mayor Ekberg
DATE: March 31, 2023
SUBJECT: Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) 11.04 & 11.28 Amendment Request
ISSUE
Revisions are being requested to sections 11.04.040 — Definitions and 11.28 — Utility
Undergrounding to provide updates and clarity to the existing code language.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City's goal for telecommunication providers is to underground most infrastructure, where
feasible, to make the City's neighborhoods and street corridors more aesthetically pleasing.
Over the last few decades, the existing TMC codes have been misinterpreted by both external
and internal agencies resulting in fewer opportunities to underground telecommunication
utilities. Only a handful of corridors have been undergrounded thus far (i.e., 42nd Ave., portions
of TIB, etc.). To maximize opportunities for undergrounding telecommunication utilities, a
revision to the TMC code will be required.
TMC 11.28 — Utility Undergrounding has not been revised since 2002, with most of the
language dating back to 1995. To provide clarification and critical updates to the code, Public
Works is hereby requesting that the attached ordinance be approved as it outlines specific
requirements, particularly as it relates to overlashing and upgrade services, that specify
undergrounding requirements in more detail. As part of the revised language,
telecommunication providers can no longer request waivers to undergrounding based on
financial impacts alone. A new deviations section has been added that outlines when a
company may request for an exemption to the ordinance.
Language has been added that explicitly exempts the City from the undergrounding requirement
due to the majority of city -owned utilities are already constructed underground. With that said,
Public Works is committed to working with telecommunication providers to underground their
service lines when feasible. To help with this, new franchise agreements will utilize project
descriptions that specify project scopes and when undergrounding will be triggered. More
information on this can be found in the attached PowerPoint presentation and will be discussed
in further detail at the formal meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are no immediate financial impacts approving the revised codes requested above.
RECOMMENDATION
The council is being asked to approve an ordinance that revises TMC codes 11.04.040 and 11.28
and consider this item at the April 10, 2023 Committee of the Whole Meeting, and subsequent
Consent Agenda at the April 17, 2023 Regular Council Meeting.
ATTACHMENTS: TMC 11.04 & 11.28 Revised Code Ordinance
TMC 11.04 & 11.28 Revised Code Amendment PowerPoint Presentation
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AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1995
§1 (PART), AS CODIFIED IN TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE
(TMC) SECTION 11.04.040, "DEFINITIONS"; REPEALING
ORDINANCE NO. 1995 §1 (PART), AS CODIFIED IN TMC
CHAPTER 11.28; REENACTING TMC CHAPTER 11.28,
"UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES," TO UPDATE
DEFINITIONS AND ADOPT NEW REGULATIONS RELATED
TO UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City is engaged in an ongoing effort to streamline code processes
and improve permitting procedures; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to provide clarification on regulations related to
undergrounding utilities; and
WHEREAS, the proposed revisions to Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) Chapter 11.28
will align the TMC with current engineering industry standards and practices; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the adoption of this ordinance for updating
regulations related to undergrounding of utilities prevents harm to the health or safety of
the public, and promotes the public health, safety and general welfare;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Adoptions of Findings of Fact. The City Council hereby adopts the
foregoing recitals and incorporates them herein as support for these amendments.
Section 2. Ordinance No. 1995 §1 (part), as codified at TMC Section 11.04.040,
"Definitions," is hereby amended to read as follows:
11.04.040 Definitions
As used in this title, unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise,
the words or phrases defined in this chapter shall have the indicated meanings.
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1. "Abutting Property" means all property having a frontage upon the sides or
margins of any public right-of-way.
2. "Affiliate" means a person that (directly or indirectly) owns or controls, is
owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, another person.
3. "Applicant" shall mean any owner or developer, or duly authorized agent of
such owner or developer, who has submitted an application for a permit under this title.
4. "Assessment Reimbursement Area" means all real properties that will benefit
from the street and/or utility system improvements.
5. "Banner" means a sign consisting of fabric and containing a public service
message or event announcement which is hung above or across a public right-of-way.
6. "Business Registration" means a requirement of all telecommunications and
cable providers who are not otherwise required to license or franchise with the City.
7. "Cable Act" means the Federal Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, as
amended by the Federal Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of
1992, as amended by portions of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, and
hereafter amended.
8. "Cable Facilities"— see "Facilities."
9. "Cable Operator" shall have the same meaning as defined in the Cable Acts.
10. "Cable Service" shall have the same meaning as defined in the Cable Acts.
11. "Campus" means a development site under a single public or private
ownership, upon which a structure or structures exist. By way of illustration and not
limitation, a campus includes a public or private school, a multifamily development, a
retirement housing facility, a nursing home facility, a continuing care retirement
community, a boarding home, a hospital, a recreational facility, a business park, and a
shopping center.
12. "City" means the City of Tukwila, Washington, in King County, and all the
territory within the corporate boundaries of Tukwila, as these may change from time to
time.
13. "City Council" means the City of Tukwila Council acting in its official capacity.
14. "City inspector" means the Director's designated employee(s) responsible for
inspecting the installation of warning and safety devices in the public right of way and
15. "Cost of Construction" means those costs incurred for design, acquisition for
create an improvement that complies with City standards. Until such time as RCW
-„es shall not be included in the calculation of construction
cost of improvement, the Public Works Director's determination shall be final.
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16. "Criminal Citation" means a written document initiating a criminal proceeding
icssued by an authorized peace officer.
17. 14. "Curb" means a cement, concrete or asphaltic concrete raised
structure designed to delineate the edge of the street and to separate the vehicular area of
the public right-of-way from the area provided for pedestrians.
1815. "Department" means the City of Tukwila Public Works Department.
1-916. "Deposit" shall mean any bond, cash deposit, or other security provided
by the applicant in accordance with TMC Section 11.08.110.
2017. "Developer" means the owner and/or building permit applicant who is
required — by any ordinance of the City, as the result of the review under State
Environmental Policy Act, or in connection with any decision of the City Council — to
construct street system and/or utility system improvements which abut the development
site.
2118. "Development" means a private improvement to real property requiring
electrical and/or communication services including, but not limited to, such services being
distributed to subdivisions, short plats, planned unit developments, or single-family or
commercial building sites.
2219. "Development Site" means the lot or lots upon which real property
improvements are proposed to be constructed.
23. "Development Standards" are those standards set forth in Chapter 11.08.130
of the Tukwila Municipal Code and the Department's Infrastructure Design and
Construction Standards.
24. "Directive Memorandum" means a letter from the City to a right of way use
permittee, notifying the recipient of specific nonconforming or unsafe conditions and
2520. "Director" means the Director of the Public Works Department or his or
her designee.
2621. "Electrical or Communication Systems" means facilities carrying electrical
energy, including but not limited to, electric power, telephone, telegraph,
telecommunication, fiber optics, and cable television services.
2722. "Emergency" shall mean any unforeseen circumstances or occurrence,
the existence of which constitutes an immediate danger to persons or property, or which
causes interruption of utility or public services.
2823. "Excavation" shall mean any work in the surface or subsurface of the
public right-of-way, including, but not limited to, opening the public right-of-way for
installing, servicing, repairing, or modifying any facility or facilities in or under the surface or
subsurface of the public right-of-way.
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2-924. "Excess Capacity" means the volume or capacity in any existing or future
duct, conduit, manhole, handhold or other utility facility within the right-of-way that is or will
be available for use for additional telecommunications or cable facilities.
3025. "Facilities" or "Facility" means the plant, equipment, structures and/or
property, including, but not limited to, overhead and underground water, gas, electric, and
telecommunication facilities and appurtenance such as cables, wires, conduits,
transformers, substation, pad -mounted J -boxes, switch cabinets, ducts, pedestals,
antennas, electronics, vaults, poles, meter boxes, sewers, pipes, drains, and tunnels.
within the City used to transmit, receive, distribute, provide or offer telecommunications or
cable service.
3126. "FCC" or "Federal Communications Commission" means the Federal
administrative agency, or lawful successor, authorized to regulate and oversee
telecommunications carriers, services and cable operators on a national level.
3227. "Franchise" is an agreement required with any telecommunications
carrier or cable operator a right-of-way user who desires to construct, install, operate,
maintain or otherwise locate facilities in rights-of-way_, and to also provide
33. "Franchiscd Utilitics" m ans utilities that have City Council approval to use
•
3/128. "Frontage" means that portion of the development site abutting public
right-of-way; provided, however, in the case of developments sites which are not
substantially rectangular, such as "pipe -stem" lots, the frontage shall be equal to the
greatest linear distance of the lot which is parallel to the public right-of-way. In the case of
corner lots, "frontage" means any portion of the development site abutting any public right-
of-way.
3529. "Fronting" means abutting a public right-of-way or public rights-of-way.
3630. "Grantee" means the holder of a franchise or a right-of-way
licensepermit.
3731. "Hazardous Waste" includes any and all such materials as defined by
RCW 43.200.01570A.384.005 (radioactive wastes) and RCW 70.105.01070A.300.010(5),
(6) and (15) (other hazardous wastes), now or as hereafter amended.
3832. "Installer" means the person or organizations who actually and physically
hangs the banner over the public right-of-way and who has the required skill and
equipment to properly and safely hang the banner. The Director will maintain a list of
approved installers having the required skill and equipment to properly and safely hang
banners.
11
to construct, install, operate, maintain or otherwise locate telecommunications facilities, in
or outside the City.
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4033. "Maintain or Maintenance" means mowing, trimming, pruning (but not
including topping or tree removal), edging, root control, cultivation, reseeding, fertilization,
spraying, control of pests, insects and rodents by nontoxic methods whenever possible,
watering, weed removal, and other actions necessary to assure normal plant growth.
41. "Minor Addition, Replacement, or Relocation" includes the installation of
secondary conductors, changing wire size or type, pole replacement, relocation of poles at
- - - e - e
- r -
not more than two new customers, hardware replacement on existing poles, and the like.
'12. "Municipal Excavator" shall mean any agency, board, commission,
department or subdivision of the City that -owns, instals, or maintains a facility or facilities
in the public right of way.
4334. "New Electrical or Communication Service" means installation of service
lines to a building where none existed before, and shall not include overlashing,
restorations and repairs.
4435. "Nonconforming Paved Street Surface" means asphaltic concrete or
cement concrete street surface that does not conform to the current "City of Tukwila
Infrastructure Design and Construction Standards," but that the Director finds to be
adequate for projected vehicular traffic.
45. "Nonprofit" means not for monetary gain.
46. "Notice and Order" means a written document initiating a civil proceeding in
accordance with TMC Chapter 8.45.
4736. "Occupant" means a person who is occupying, controlling or possessing
real property, or his or her agent or representative.
48. "Off Site Street System and/or Utility System Improvements" means such
improvements as are defined in TMC 11.12.030.
49. "On Site Street System Improvements" means street system improvements
development site and extending to the centerline of the public right of way.
5037. "Open Video System" means those systems defined and regulated as
Open Video Systems by the FCC, pursuant to Section 653 of the Federal Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 573.
51. "Oral Directive" means a directive given orally by City personnel to correct or
discontinue a specific condition.
52. "Ordinance" means the City of Tukwila Telecommunication Ordinance, TMC
Chapter 11.32.
5338. "Overhead Facilities" means telecommunications and/or cable facilities
located above the surface of the ground, including the underground supports and
foundations for such facilities.
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5/139. "Owner" shall mean any developer or person, including the City, who
owns any facility or facilities that are, or are proposed to be, installed or maintained in the
public right-of-way.
5540. "Paved Street Surface" means street surface that is either standard
street surface or nonconforming paved street surface.
5641. "Permit" means a document issued by the City granting permission to
engage in an activity that involves the use of the public right-of-way.
5842. "Permittee" shall mean the applicant to whom a permit to use the public
right-of-way has been granted and thereby has agreed to fulfill the requirements of TMC
Title 11.
5943. "Person" shall mean any person, corporation, partnership, municipal
excavator, or any governmental agency.means, and includes: corporations, companies,
associations, joint stock companies or associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability
companies and individuals, and includes their lessors, trustees and receivers, but excludes
the City.
44. "Personal Wireless Services" means commercial mobile services, unlicensed
wireless services and common carrier wireless exchange access services as defined by
Federal laws and regulations.
60/15. "Private Use" means use of the public right-of-way — other than as a
thoroughfare for ordinary transit of vehicles, pedestrians, or equestrians — for the benefit of
a particular person or entity.
6146. "Procedure" means a procedure adopted by the Director to implement
this title, or to carry out other responsibilities as may be required by this title or by other
codes, ordinances, or resolutions of the City or other agencies as they may apply.
6247. "Real Property Improvements" means:
a. Construction of a structure on an unimproved lot;
b. Additions, alterations, or repairs to an existing structure other than one
single-family residence, where square footage is added to the structure, or the
construction of accessory buildings; or
c. Construction of an additional structure or structures on a campus.
more spans (four poles) or 500 feet exclusive of replacements due to casualty damage.
6/148. "Recently Improved Street" shall mean any street that has been
reconstructed or resurfaced by the Department or any other owner or person in the
preceding three-year period.
6549. "Reimbursement Agreement" means contracts authorized by RCW
Chapter 35.91, as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended, for utility
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system improvements, and may be referred to from time to time in this title as "Latecomer
Agreements."
66. "Relocations" means removal of existing facilities with subsequent
widening projects.
actions-re.,ulting in the death of vegetation.
6850. "Replacement Vegetation" means vegetation of equal species, size,
quality and number to that which has been removed.
6951. "Restoration" means all work including, but not limited to, backfilling,
compacting, replacing street pavement, replacing sidewalks, or other public right-of-way to
like -new condition in the manner prescribed by the Department's Design and Infrastructure
Design and Construction Manual. (See TMC Section 11.08.230-270 for more details.)
7052. "Right -of -Way" means all public streets, alleys and property granted,
reserved for, or dedicated to public use for streets and alleys, together with all public
property granted, reserved for, or dedicated to, public use including, but not limited to,
walkways, sidewalks, trails, shoulders, drainage facilities, bike ways and horse trails,
whether improved or unimproved, including the air rights, subsurface rights, and
easements related thereto, but does not include:
1. State highways;
2. Land dedicated for roads, streets, and highways not opened and not
improved for motor vehicle use by the public;
3. Structures, including poles and conduits, located within the right-of-way;
4. Federally granted trust lands or Forest Board trust lands;
5. Lands owned or managed by the Washington State Parks and
Recreation Commission; or
6. Federally granted railroad rights-of-way acquired under 43 U.S.C. 912
and related provisions of federal law that are not open for motor vehicle use.
53. "Right -of -Way User" means any person with any facility in the right-of-way,
including but not limited to, persons who have been granted City approval via franchise or
other agreement to be in the right-of-way.
71. "Security Device" means any and all types of bonds, deeds of trust, security
7254. "Service Connection" means a connection made to a
telecommunications facility and/or cable facility for the purpose of providing
telecommunications or cable services.
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7355. "Service Connections" are facilities extending from a distribution system
and terminating on private property and/or for the specific purpose of servicing one (1)
customer.
7456. "Sidewalk" means that property between the curb and the abutting
property, set aside and intended for the primary use of pedestrians, but may include mixed
uses such as pedestrians and bicyclists, improved by paving with cement concrete or
asphaltic concrete, including all driveways.
comprehensive plan.
7657. "Standard Street Surface" means street surface that is paved in
accordance with the "City of Tukwila Infrastructure Design and Construction Standards."
7-758. "State" means the State of Washington.
7859. "Stop Work Notice" means a notice authorized by the Director or his/her
designee, posted at the site of an activity that requires all work to be stopped until the City
approves continuation of work.
7960. "Street" means any street, road, boulevard, alley, lane, way or place, or
any portion thereof within the City limits.
8161. "Street System Improvements" include half street section of street
pavement (including appropriate sub paving preparation), surface water drainage facilities,
sidewalks where required, curbs, gutters, utility undergrounding, street lighting, right-of-
way landscaping (including street trees where required), and other similar improvements.
8262. "Street System Improvements" means such improvements as are
defined in TMC Section 11.12.030.
8363. "Street Trees" means any trees located on any street or public right -of -
way.
8564. "Surface Water Drainage Facilities" means ditches, piped and covered
surface water drainage, including catch basins, and such detention, retention, and
biofiltration as the Director shall require in accordance with sound engineering principles
and the adopted ordinances and policies of the City.
86665. "Surplus Space" means that portion of the usable space on a utility pole
which has the necessary clearance from other pole users, as required by the orders and
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regulations of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, to allow its use by
a telecommunications carrier for a pole attachment.
8766. "Telecommunications Carrier" for the purposes of this chapter includes
every person that directly or indirectly owns, controls, operates or manages plant,
equipment, structures, or property within the City, used or to be used for the purpose of
offering telecommunication service. Provided, however, this does not include lessees that
solely lease bandwidth (and do not own telecommunication facilities within the City of
Tukwila).
8867. "Telecommunication Facilities"— see "Facilities."
8968. "Telecommunication Service" means the providing or offering for rent,
sale or lease, or in exchange for other value received, the transmittal of voice, data, image,
graphic or video programming information or service(s) between or among points by wire,
cable, fiber optics, laser, microwave, radio, satellite or similar facilities, with or without
benefit of any closed transmission medium.
9969. "TMC" means the Tukwila Municipal Code adopted by the City Council.
9170. "Topping" means the severe cutting of the top of a street tree resulting in
stubs beyond the branch collar in the crown or severe cutting which removes a substantial
portion of the normal canopy, disfigures the street tree, and reduces the height.
9271. "Underground Facilities" means telecommunication and/or cable facilities
located under the surface of the ground, alone or in combination, direct buried or in utility
tunnels or conduits, excluding the underground foundations or supports for overhead
facilities.
9372. "Unpaved Street Surface" means street surface that is neither standard
nor nonconforming paved street surface.
9/173. "Unsafe Condition" means any condition that the Director reasonably
determines is a hazard to health, endangers the safe use of the right-of-way by the public,
or does or may impair or impede the operation or functioning of any portion of the right-of-
way, or may cause damage thereto.
95. "Utility Excavator" shall m an any owner whose facility or facilities in the
steam, storm drains, telecommunications, traffic controls, transit service, video, water, or
other services to customers regard -4e s of whether such owner is deemed a public utility.
9674. "Utility System Improvements" means water and/or sewer facilities as
specified in RCW 35.91.020 as it now reads, or as hereafter amended.
9775. "Vegetation" means all trees, plants, shrubs, groundcover, grass, and
other vegetation.
9876. "Wire" means a guided transmission medium, consisting of either one
strand or a group of stands insulated together, which are used to power and/or send
multiple transmission signals.
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77. "Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission" or "WUTC" means the
State administrative agency, or lawful successor, authorized under Title 80 of the Revised
Code of Washington to regulate and oversee telecommunications carriers, services and
telecommunications providers in the State of Washington to the extent prescribed by law.
Section 3. Repealer. Ordinance No. 1995 §1 (part), as codified at TMC Chapter
11.28, "Undergrounding of Utilities," is hereby repealed.
Section 4. TMC Chapter 11.28 Reenacted. TMC Chapter 11.28 is hereby
reenacted to read as follows:
CHAPTER 11.28
UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES
Sections:
11.28.010 Policy
11.28.020 Purpose
11.28.030 Undergrounding — Scope
11.28.040 Facilities ExceptedExempted
11.28.050 CestUndergroundinq Requirements
11.28.060 Permits and Fec ;Deviations
11.28.070 Undergrounding RequirementsOverlashing
11.28.080 Service Connection RequirementsUpgraded Service
11.28.090 Street LightingConnections and Disconnections of Affected Service
11.28.100 Connections and Disconnections of Affected ServiceService
Connection Requirements
11.28.110 Site Screening
11.28.120 As built Drawings
11.28.130 Joint Trenches
11.28.1 40 Request for Waiver
Section 5. TMC Section 11.28.010 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
11.28.010 Policy
It is the policy of the City to require the underground installation of all new electrical
and communication facilities, with certain exceptions noted in this chapter. The City
Council finds that the convenience, health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of
the community require that all new facilities specified in this chapter be installed
underground.
Section 6. TMC Section 11.28.020 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
11.28.020 Purpose
The purpose of TMC Chapter 11.28 this chapter is to establish minimum
requirements and procedures for the underground installation and relocation of electric
and communication facilities within the City.
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Section 7. TMC Section 11.28.030 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
11.28.030 Undergrounding — Scope
This chapter shall apply to anyone any person or entity, other than the City, who
owns electrical or communication facilities, and to all new electrical and communication
systems, including but not limited to electric power, telephone, telecommunication, and
cable television facilities within the corporate City limits.
Section 8. TMC Section 11.28.040 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
11.28.040 Facilities ExceptedExempted
A, The following facilities are excepted exempted from the undergrounding
requirements of this chapter:
1. Electric utility substations, pad -mounted transformers, and switching facilities
not located on the public right-of-way where site screening is or will be provided in
accordance with TMC 11.28.110 Chapter 18.54.
2. Electric transmission systems of a voltage of 115 kV or more (including
poles and wires) and equivalent communication facilities.
3. Ornamental street lighting standards, as defined by the Public Works
Director.
4. Telephone pedestals, cross connect terminals, repeaters, cable warning
signs, and other equivalent communication facilities.
5. Municipal Government equipment, including but not limited to: traffic control
equipment and police and fire sirens.
6. Temporary services for construction.
7. Replacement of existing overhead facilities due to damage by natural or
man-made causes.
8. Secondary wiring for street Iighting.Overlashing onto existing facilities
installed, subject to the limitations and restrictions set forth in TMC Section 11.28.070.
9. Cable television cables to the extent that such cables are to be hung on
distribution facilities are primarily overhead. Secondary wiring for street lighting.
10. Upgrade or replacement service of existing facilities pursuant to TMC
Section 11.28.080.
11. Other facilities as determined by the Director.
B. The Director shall decide if a facility qualifies for an exception. The decision is
determinative and final.
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Section 9. TMC Section 11.08.050 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
11.28.07011.28.050 Undergrounding Requirements
A. New Facilities:
1. New electrical or communication service to a building where no service
previously existed shall be constructed underground. Does not include restorations
and/or repairs.
2. All major additions of new facilities (three or more spans and/or 500 feet or
more) shall be underground.
3. Minor additions of new facilities may be constructed aerially where existing
B. Rebuilds, Replacements and Additions:
1. A relocation necessitated by a public works project, including, but not
or replacement of existing aerial facilities (three or more spans and/or 500 feet or more)
2. A minor rebuild, replacement or relocation of existing aerial facilities that
3. When there is casualty damage to an overhead service system or other
major service outage, the facilities may be restored aerially.
allowed on existing aerial facilities.
No work permitted by this subsection shall result in an increase in the
the closest property line of the development site.
Except for wireless communication facilities specifically permitted, pursuant to
TMC Chapter 18.58, all new facilities shall be constructed, installed, and located in
accordance with the following terms and conditions, unless otherwise specified in a
franchise. Right-of-way users shall be responsible for all costs associated with
undergrounding its facilities except as otherwise provided herein or within Federal or
State law.
1. The right-of-way user shall install its new facilities underground, unless
otherwise approved by the City, pursuant to TMC Section 11.28.060.
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2. The right-of-way user shall install its new facilities within an existing
underground duct or conduit whenever excess capacity exists within such facility and
the right-of-way user is able to access such underground duct or conduit for a
commercially reasonable fee; otherwise, the right-of-way user shall place its new
facilities within its own new underground duct or conduit. The right-of-way user is
encouraged to place conduit underground that can accommodate both the new facilities
and future facilities, including any existing above ground facilities that may be relocated
underground at a later date.
3. Whenever any new or existing electric utilities are being located
underground, or upon a City project within a public right-of-way, the right-of-way user,
with permission to occupy the same right-of-way, shall also relocate its facilities
underground or along an alternative public way, consistent with the requirements of
RCW 35.99.060 and TMC Section 11.08.300.
4. If requested, the right-of-way user shall provide the City with additional
ducts and conduits, at the right-of-way user's cost, and related structures necessary to
access the ducts and conduits; provided, that the terms and conditions under which
such additional ducts and/or conduits are provided shall be consistent with RCW
35.99.070.
5. These locational requirements shall apply even if the right-of-way user is
providing services to a wireless communication facility in the right-of-way, and such
wireless communication facility is allowed to remain above ground.
Section 10. TMC Section 11.28.060 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
11.28.060 Permits and FcesDeviations
underground construction shall be obtained from the Department prior to construction of
facilities in the public right of way.
B. An appropriate fee shall be charged for this permit, consistent with the
schedule on file with the Department. A. The right-of-way user may request that
the Director allow a deviation from the requirements in this section by establishing that
such compliance would be an undue hardship to the right-of-way user, a user of the
facilities, or any other affected person. The term "undue hardship" shall mean either:
1. The installation would be technologically unfeasible; or
2. The impact of the underground construction outweighs the general welfare
consideration in requiring underground construction; or
3. Delay of the installation of the underground facilities would better
coordinate the project with other private improvements which are in the permitting
process or public improvements shown on the Capital Improvement or Transportation
Improvement elements of the Comprehensive Plan; or
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4. Strict application of this chapter would materially inhibit or would have the
effect of materially inhibiting a right-of-way user's ability to provide telecommunication
services; or
5. For existing or new single-family residences only, the requirement to
underground new facilities constitutes a financial hardship.
B. The Director may also deviate from these requirements if a statute or tariff
prohibits the enforcement thereof or requires the City or rate payers to pay for such
undergroundinq.
C. Deviations shall be requested in writing by the applicant, which shall include
how the applicant meets the criteria of TMC Section 11.28.060.A or B. The Director
shall determine, in writing, if the undue hardship criteria are sufficiently established such
that the applicant is not required to underground the new facilities. The Director's
decision shall be final.
Section 11. TMC Section 11.28.070 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
11.28.070 Overlashing
Existing right-of-way users may overlash to their existing wires, subject to all
applicable local, state, and federal regulations; and further provided that existing right-
of-way users may only overlash a total of two additional new wires per existing wire
owned by the right-of-way users on a given pole, not to exceed three wires in total for
any given right-of-way user. The overlashed wire(s) shall be limited to like -in-kind only,
meaning that it shall not exceed the same size, weight and diameter of the original wire
that is being overlashed to.
Section 12. TMC Section 11.28.080 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
11.28.080 Upgraded Service
Existing wires may be replaced or upgraded for increased service capacity
provided that no additional wires are added (i.e., a new wire can be added but the
existing wires shall be removed). The new upgrade or replacement wires shall be
limited to like -in-kind only, meaning that it shall not exceed the size, weight, and
diameter of the original wire that the applicant proposes to remove.
Section 13. TMC Section 11.08.090 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
11.28.10011.28.090 Connections and Disconnections of Affected Service
The owner of real property abutting an underground project shall be responsible, at
his or her expense, for converting to underground service and disconnecting his or her
aerial services within 30 days following notice in writing of availability of such underground
service. Time in consummating such connection and disconnection is of the essence, and
such notice to the property owner, customer or subscriber may be mailed, postage
prepaid, or delivered in person. In the event that such conversion and disconnection is not
accomplished within 30 days of receipt of notice, the City may order the work done and the
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Page 14 of 16
69
actual cost shall constitute a lien against the real property, subject to enforcement as
provided by law.
Section 14. TMC Section 11.28.100 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
11.28.100 Service Connection Requirements
A. Single -Family Residential Areas. All electrical or communication service lines
from either existing overhead or underground facilities to the service connection of new
structures shall be installed underground.
B. Non -Single Family Residential Areas. All new electrical or communication
service lines from either existing overhead or underground facilities to the service
connection of new and existing structures shall be installed underground.
Section 15. Repealer. Per the repealer in Section 3 of this ordinance, the following
sections of the Tukwila Municipal Code are hereby eliminated:
11.28.110
11.28.120
11.28.130
11.28.140
Site Screening
As -built Drawings
Joint Trenches
Request for Waiver
11.28.110 Site Screening
above ground facilities shall be submitted to the Department of Community Development
Works Department.
A drawing of a completed underground project in a form acceptable to the
Department and conforming to generally accepted engineering practices shall be
e.
any underground project within the City. No bond money, deposit or fee shall be released
to the developer until the Department receives the drawings.
11.28.130 Joint Trenches
Where several utilities are planned or required in the same corridor, every effort shall
11.28.140 Request for Waiver
A. All applications for waivers from the foregoing underground requirements shall
be first filed with the Director.
B. A waiver shall not be granted by the Director unless the Director finds that the
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hardship to place the facilities concerned underground. For purposes of -this chapter,
undue hardship is intended to mean:
1. A technological or environmental difficulty associated with the particular
facility or with the particular real property involved that would render the installation
unfeasible; or
2. The cost of the underground construction outweighs the general welfare
consideration in requiring underground construction.
C. The Director may grant a deferral of the requirement for undergrounding if the
agreement for futurc installation. The Director's decision is determinative and final.
Section 16. Corrections by City Clerk or Code Reviser Authorized. Upon
approval of the City Attorney, the City Clerk and the code reviser are authorized to
make necessary corrections to this ordinance, including the correction of scrivener's
errors; references to other local, state or federal laws, codes, rules, or regulations; or
ordinance numbering and section/subsection numbering.
Section 17. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause
or phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held to
be invalid or unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the
remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to any other person or situation.
Section 18. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be
published in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force
five days after passage and publication as provided by law.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at
a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2023.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
CC:\Legislative Development\Amend TMC 11.28 strike-thru 3-28-23
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Allan Ekberg, Mayor
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Published:
Effective Date:
Ordinance Number:
Page 16 of 16
71
City of Tukwila
TMC 11.04 & 11.28
Revised Code
Amendment
Josh Hartley, P.E.
April 3, 2023
1
S. 144th St (TIB — 42nd Ave. S)
72
Purpose of Amendments
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• To externally and internally re -affirm and
clarify City's existing policy as it relates to
undergrounding.
• Discuss New Deviations Section
• Provide examples of typical permits
requested.
• City CIP projects that trigger or don't
trigger undergrounding.
• Jurisdiction Code Comparisons
City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates
73
Old Code Requirements
Old code: underground all new facilities
Per plain language of code, "new facilities" means communication and electric
facilities. City does not have "facilities" because it doesn't own communication
nor electric lines, thus old code never actually applied to require City to
underground any of its facilities.
• Only time undergrounding was required was placement of new facilities (i.e.
stringing a new electric or communication line between poles, or connecting a
building to service, where no service had previously existed).
• Only facilities that had to be undergrounded were the facilities that
were new, the existing facilities could remain above ground.
• Facility owner could seek waiver from requirement to underground if it
was too expensive
3 City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates
74
■1
New Code Requirements
1
New code: Underground all new facilities
• Definitions revised and/or added to TMC 11.04.
• Clarifies explicitly that code does not apply to City by excluding
chapter from applying to City.
• Clarifies that overlashing (wrapping a new overhead line around
an existing overhead line) is limited to two cables in like kind
only meaning not to exceed same size, weight, and diameter.
• Clarifies that deviations from code requirements are only
allowed if in undergrounding is technologically unfeasible (i.e.,
Small Wireless Facilities can't be undergrounded) or if the
installation coordinates with a CIP project, or if the impact to
undergrounding outweighs the benefit.
4 City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates 75
5
Typical Service Request Examples
Installation of Comcast and SCL
service to a new housing
development:
Undergrounding of new lines
required. Existing lines in a block
would remain overhead, but new lines
received by the new development
would be required to be placed
underground.
City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates
46th Ave. S (144t" — 146th )
76
Typical Service Request Examples
Repair or replacement of
SCL existing service line:
No undergrounding required.
This is general maintenance
and upkeep and not
considered a new service line.
E. Marginal Way near Museum of Flight
6 City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates
77
Typical Service Request Examples (cont.)
7
Overlashing on existing lines:
Two extra cables are allowed and
must be like in-kind, meaning it
shall not exceed the same size,
weight, or diameter of existing
cable. If three or more cables are
being requested, undergrounding
will be required. This applies to
upgraded service lines also (i.e.
changing material to fiber from
electric line).
City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates
78
Typical Service Request Examples (cont.)
8
Installation of a new
telecommunication
company's service lines in
the City:
Undergrounding of new lines
required. With new restrictions
on overlashing and upgraded
services for existing providers,
this requirement shall not limit
competition.
City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates
79
Typical Service Request Examples (cont.)
9
S. 122nd St at 44th Ave S. Intersection
Installation of new cable service to a
single house:
Undergrounding of new service line
required if two or more overlashed lines
already exist on a given pole. However,
code allows for deviation to this
requirement if requested by property
owner.
City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates
80
City Capital Projects Undergrounding
Requirements
Both existing and amended TMC 11.28 codes do not require undergrounding
of existing telecommunication service lines. Only newly installed lines require
undergrounding.
For future CIP Projects the City constructs, the following project definitions
will determine undergrounding requirements:
• Major Project: A public project constructing and/or replacing two or more
City -owned utilities (i.e. sewer, water, stormwater) or fully reconstructing
the roadway cross-section. Undergrounding will be required.
• Minor Project: A public project constructing fewer that two City utilities
(i.e. sewer, water, stormwater) and/or partial roadway reconstruction,
sidewalk construction, etc. Undergrounding will NOT be required.
10 City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates 81
CIP Projects with Undergrounded Utilities
The City has four (4) projects to date
that have required telecommunication
companies to underground their
infrastructure:
Seattle -Tacoma
International
Airport
• 42nd Ave. S Phase 11 (Southcenter
Blvd. — S. 160th St.)
• 53rd Ave S. (S. 137th St. — S. 144th St.)
• S. 144th St. (TIB — 42nd Ave. S)
• TIB Phase 1 (S. 140th St. —S. 152nd St.)
11 City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates 82
53rd Ave. S CIP Project (S. 137t" — S. 144tH)
BEFORE: August 2017
12 City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates
AFTER: August 2021
83
42nd Ave. S CIP Project (Southcenter — 160th
BEFORE: Oct. 2015
13 City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates
AFTER: September 2022
84
TIB Phase 1CIP Project (S. 140th St. —S. 152nd St.)
TIB near S. 130th St.
14 City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates
TIB near S. 144th St.
85
Comparisons
• Burien Municipal Code Chapter 12.40:... it is the policy of the city to require the underground installation of
all new electrical and communication facilities, with certain exceptions noted in this chapter.
• SeaTac Municipal Code Chapter 11.20: it is the policy of the city to require the underground installation of
all new electrical and communication facilities, subject to certain exceptions noted hereafter.'
• Issaquah Municipal Code 12.60: All new facilities must be placed underground.... For purposes of clarity,
new facilities include but are not limited to all new wireline facilities and over -lashing on existing facilities.
15 City of Tukwila — Public Works I TMC 11.28 Revised Code Updates 86
Questions and/or Comments?