ITEM TITLE:
#18-25 - Granting a 10ft Wide and 62ft Long Public Utility Easement To Copper Valley Telecom, Across City of Valdez-Owned Lot 2 Block 25, Mineral Creek Subdivision.
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nylund, Senior Planner/GIS Technician
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Resolution #18-25 Granting a 10ft Wide and 62ft Long Public Utility Easement, To Copper Valley Telecom Across City of Valdez-Owned Lot 2 Block 25, Mineral Creek Subdivision.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
On May 17th, 2018 the Community Development Department received an application for a utility easement from Copper Valley Telecom (CVTC). The requested easement is 10’ wide and 62’ long, on City of Valdez-owned Lot 2 Block 25, Mineral Creek Subdivision. This parcel is located at 142 Pioneer Drive. See CVTC Easement Request 2018pdf. (attached).
At its regular public meeting on June 13th, 2018, the City of Valdez Planning and Zoning Commission passed a recommendation to City Council to approve granting this public utility easement.
This easement will serve to connect two existing utility easements and formally establish an easement where buried conduit has existed for years. The existing conduit is 1¼” in diameter, and buried 36” deep. See Plat 2003-15 with easement request (attached).
This authorization is consistent with VMC Section 13.5. Public Utility Franchises. “The city may grant a franchise to any person for the use of the streets, alleys, bridges, easements and other public places of the city for the furnishing of any public utility service to the city and its inhabitants.”
The City has the authority to establish an easement as stated by VMC 16.24.070 Dedication-Utility easements which states: “The platting authority may require the dedication of utility easements when a utility company or the city demonstrates a specific need for them.”
This action is consistent with the City of Valdez Comprehensive Development plan, which states: “The (Community and Economic Development) Department is responsible for the orderly and efficient growth and development of the City's socioeconomic and physical systems.” (Valdez Comprehensive Development Plan, pg. 33)
If Council votes in favor of the authorization, the easement document will be recorded to plat 2003-15, and CVEA will cover all costs.