CITY OF FAIRFIELD
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-02
AMENDING SECTION 7.5 OF CHAPTER 7, ARTICLE II OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, ALSO
KNOWN AS THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE, TO REMOVE PROVISIONS THAT REQUIRE
TRANSFORMERS TO BE INSTALLED WITHIN SUBSURFACE VAULTS IN THE TRAIN
STATION SPECIFIC PLAN AREA
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRFIELD DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2 7, Article I I. Underground Utilities , Section 7.5 Required; Exceptions is hereby amended as follows:
All transformers located within the Train Station Specific Plan area, as defined in Section
25.28.7(K), shall be enclosed within subsurface vaults, if the transformers are appurtenant to underground facilities and are located within a front or side street setback.
Public or private utility, transmission or distribution lines, wires or cables, to be installed within and for the purpose of serving new subdivisions and all other undeveloped or redeveloped parcels of land shall be placed underground. There shall be no poles, overhead wires or associated overhead structures installed except poles without overhead wires used exclusively for street lighting, fire alarm boxes or other municipal equipment installed under supervision of and to the satisfaction of the director of public works. The subdivider or developer shall be held responsible to make the necessary arrangements with the utility companies. This section does not apply to:
a. High voltage transmission lines transmitting electricity of fifty thousand volts or more.
b. Equipment outside of the Train Station Specific Plan area boundaries and appurtenant to underground facilities, such as pedestal mounted terminal boxes meter cabinets, and concealed ducts.
c. Wires attached to the exterior walls of a building for the purpose of interconnecting communication facilities within the building.
The City Council may grant special permission on such terms as it may deem appropriate for installation of the " streamlined" underground electrical distribution system, and in cases of emergency or extreme hardship without discrimination as to any person or utility company to erect, construct, install, maintain, use, or operate poles and overhead wires and associated overhead structures notwithstanding any other provisions of this article.
Application for such special permission shall be filed with the director of public works and shall be transmitted by the city manager to the council, along with any recommendations which he may have concerning the granting or denial of such application.
ORD. NO. 2025-02
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be effective 30 days following its adoption by the council. A summary of this Ordinance shall, within fifteen (15) days after passage, be published in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code of the State of California with the names of the City Councilmembers voting for and against it.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairfield on the 18th day of February 2025, and
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of March 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: MEMBERS: MOY/BERTANI/CARR/PANDURO/SANDHU/TONNESEN/WILLIAMS NOES: MEMBERS: _________________________________________________ ABSENT: MEMBERS: _________________________________________________ ABSTAIN: MEMBERS: _________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
MAYOR
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK