a. Definitions. The following terms, as used in this section, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this subsection:
Utility means a company providing electrical, telephone, cable television, or cable- or wire-based data transmission services within the City.
Transmission line means an electrical line operated at a nominal voltage of 60,000 volts or higher that brings electricity from a generating plant to an electrical substation.
Feeder line means an electrical line that emanates from an electrical substation or hub for distribution throughout a local area.
Lateral line means an electrical line that emanates from a feeder line and is used for distribution to smaller areas of consumers, and is usually connected to a feeder line through a sectionalizing device such as a fuse or disconnection switch.
Service line means an electrical line which, through a transformer, supplies electricity to a customer’s service entrance.
b. Undergrounding required.
(1) All electric lateral and service lines throughout the interior of new residential subdivisions shall be placed underground and in dedicated easements. This provision does not require the underground installation of transmission lines or of feeder lines placed along the perimeter of a subdivision.
(2) Wherever electric lateral and service lines are required to be placed underground, lines carrying telephone service, data transmission, cable television, and street lighting shall also be placed underground.
(3) All electrical, telephone, data transmission, or cable television support equipment necessary for underground installation, including transformers, amplifiers, switching devices, etc., shall be pedestal- or pad-mounted, or shall placed underground.
c. Owner to bear cost.
(1) The owner of property for which this section requires utility facilities to be placed underground shall arrange to reimburse the utility company for the difference in cost between the installation of such service and the installation of equivalent overhead service in accordance with the provisions of the utility's tariff, if any.
(2) No utility shall be required to begin construction of underground facilities unless and until the owner has made arrangements satisfactory to the utility company for the payment of the difference between the cost of overhead facilities and underground facilities.
d. Exceptions to undergrounding requirement.
(1) Temporary service during construction may be provided by overhead utility lines and facilities prior to activation of the underground service. Following activation of the underground permanent service, the temporary overhead service shall be removed within 45 days.
(2) Nothing in this section 2.1.8 shall be construed to require any existing overhead facilities to be placed underground or to prohibit the upgrading, reconstruction or reconductoring of any existing overhead facilities with overhead construction.
e. Variances. In special or unique circumstances or to avoid undue hardship, the City Council, after receiving the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, may authorize a variance to the underground utilities requirements of this section.