HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 15234 (Canal Street Underground Utility District)RESOLUTION NO. 15234
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL FORMING AN
UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT ON CANAL STREET BETWEEN MEDWAY
ROAD AND SPINNAKER POINT DRIVE AND DETERMINING SAID ACTION IS
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 15302(c) OF TITLE 14 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF
REGULATIONS
WHEREAS, Chapter 11.28 of the San Rafael Municipal Code establishes a procedure
for the creation of underground utility districts and requires the San Rafael City Council
(“City Council”) to hold a public hearing to ascertain whether public necessity, health,
safety, or welfare requires the removal of poles, overhead wires and associated
overhead structures and the underground installation of wires and facilities for supplying
electric, communication or similar or associated services in any such district; and
WHEREAS, staff has recommended that such an underground utility district be formed
within the area of the City of San Rafael described as follows: The area contained within
the public right of way of Canal Street from Medway Road to Spinnaker Point Drive, as
shown on the map attached hereto as “Exhibit A” entitled “Proposed Utility Underground
District, Canal St from Medway Rd to Spinnaker Point Dr”, dated January 2023; and
WHEREAS, San Rafael staff have had various meetings with representatives from
affected utilities and the affected utilities have raised no objections to undergrounding
overhead lines within the proposed district as shown in Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on June 20, 2023, the City Council held a public
hearing to receive and consider public comments regarding the establishment of the
proposed underground utility district and to ascertain whether public necessity, health,
safety, or welfare requires undergrounding utilities within the proposed district as shown
in Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, notice of the time and place of such hearing was provided by the City Clerk
by mail to all affected property owners as shown on the last equalized assessment roll
and to all affected utilities at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
1. The City Council finds that the public necessity, health, safety, and welfare
requires the removal of poles, overhead wires and associated overhead
structures of any utilities within the area depicted in Exhibit A and the
underground installation of wires and facilities for supplying electric,
communication or similar or associated services in the area, including the
property owners’ service connections, in accordance with the provisions of
Chapter 11.28 of the San Rafael Municipal Code. Exhibit A, which is the map
entitled “Proposed Utility Underground District, Canal St from Medway Rd to
Spinnaker Point Dr,” dated January 2023 and on file in the offices of the
Department of Public Works City of San Rafael, is attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference.
2. The City Council finds that the creation of an underground utility district on Canal
Street between Medway Road and Spinnaker Point Drive is in the public interest
and will eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead electric facilities,
that Canal Street is extensively used by the general public and carries a heavy
volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, that Canal Street adjoins or passes
through a public recreation area and an area of unusual scenic interest to the
general public.
3. Pursuant to Chapter 11.28 of the San Rafael Municipal Code, the City Council
declares the area shown in Exhibit A to be an underground utility district and
orders the removal of poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures
and the undergrounding installation of wires and facilities for supplying electric,
communication or similar or associated services in that district within ten years
following the adoption of this Resolution.
4. The City Clerk is directed to give all notices required by Chapter 11.28 of the San
Rafael Municipal Code.
WHEREAS, all existing overhead communication and electric distribution facilities in
such district shall be removed; and
WHEREAS, that each property served from such electric overhead facilities shall have
installation in accordance with PG&’s rules for underground service, all electrical
facilities changes on the premises necessary to receive service from the underground
facilities of PG&E as soon as it is available; and
WHEREAS, authorizing PG&E to discontinue its overhead service.
I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the
City Council of the City of San Rafael, held on Tuesday, the 20th day of June 2023, by
the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Lindsay Lara, City Clerk