Utilities are frequently located in, on, under, or along county roads and rights-of-way. It is the desire of the county that such utilities be located outside of the county roads and rights-of-way where possible. Where such facilities cannot be located on private property, the county understands that there may be a public interest for utility installations to be accommodated within the rights-of-way of county roadways. However, since the manner in which these accommodations are carried out can have a significant effect upon the function of the roadways, it is necessary for utility occupancy and use of the rights-of-way to be regulated to ensure that the free and safe flow of traffic is maintained, adequate provisions are made for maintenance and future expansion of county roadways, that all activities are in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including this chapter, and that adequate steps are taken to evaluate any loss of productivity of agricultural land due to denial of a particular application for utility accommodation.
(Ord. —, passed 6-30-2009)