HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-1 J_Comcast_Underground_Utility_Exemption_Memo_260415_v2
April 14, 2026
City of Renton
Development Engineering
1055 S. Grady Way
Renton, Washington, 98057
Re: Wang Subdivision – Underground Utility Exemption Memo
CORE Project No. 17150
Introduction
The Wang Subdivision previously approved under permit numbers LUA18-000280 and C-18006462 is
required to underground utilities along the 116th Ave SE project frontage per RMC 4-6-090; however, due
to the nature of the telecom infrastructure on the existing utility poles, an exemption request meeting the
criteria of section D.1.h.i, D.1.i.i and D.1.i.ii is being submitted under a minor civil permit modification.
Responses to the decision criteria within this code section are provided below.
4-6-090 Utility Lines – Underground Installation:
D. Exemptions
1. The following are exemptions to the requirements of this Section:
a. Overhead power and utility facilities adjacent to a redevelopment site where a street
modification under RMC 4-9-250D is granted to keep the existing overhead power and/or
utility facilities above ground.
Response: Not applicable.
b. Electric utility substations, pad-mounted transformers and switching facilities not located on
the public right-of-way.
Response: Not applicable.
c. Electric transmission systems of a voltage fifty five (55) kv or more (including poles and
wires) and equivalent communication facilities where the utility provider providing electrical
energy provides at its expense an underground street lighting circuit (including all conductors
and conduits) to a point on the poles at least forty feet (40') above ground to serve utility
provider owned street lighting fixtures to be mounted on the poles at said location.
Response: Not applicable.
d. Ornamental street lighting standards.
Response: Not applicable.
e. Telephone pedestals and other equivalent communication facilities.
Response: Not applicable.
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Underground Utility Exemption Memo
f. Police and fire sirens, or any similar municipal equipment, including traffic-control equipment.
Response: Not applicable.
g. Replacement of overhead facilities for a distance of three (3) or fewer spans (four (4) poles) or
five hundred feet (500') exclusive of replacements due to casualty damage.
Response: Not applicable.
h. Extensions, duplications, relocations or rebuilds to existing overhead electrical and
communication facilities under the following conditions:
i. When there are continuing requirements for poles, such as services to residences of King
County when those residences are not required to be undergrounded. However, if there is a
reasonable likelihood that undergrounding would occur in the foreseeable future, conduit
for underground crossings should be installed whenever feasible as part of any ongoing
street construction, reconstruction or overlayment project.
Response: Not applicable.
ii. When there are existing overhead electrical or communication facilities that will not be
removed (such as high tension wires), and the electrical and communication facilities to be
removed by undergrounding are parallel to facilities that will not be removed.
Response: Existing high tension wires run along the 116th Ave SE frontage and were
previously exempted from undergrounding requirements. As such, these lines remain
overhead and their poles remain in place. The telecom wires requested to be exempt
from undergrounding run parallel to these high tension lines and are attached to these
existing shared utility poles to remain. Additionally, the height of both sets of lines will
not impact the placement of required street lights provided by the development. An
exhibit has been prepared showing the separation of the parallel lines from the
proposed light poles along the frontage.
iii. When an existing single-family home is served with overhead electrical power lines from
a pole that also serves other properties. However, this exemption is merely a deferral; the
property owner shall sign a recordable covenant agreeing to participate in undergrounding
when the majority of the other properties served from the pole are undergrounded.
Response: Not applicable.
i. Installations where the Administrator determines:
i. There is a technological difficulty associated with the particular facility, or the particular
real property involved; or
Response: The telecom wires at this location are unique as they are close to their origin
point and have been requested to remain in place by Comcast (the service provider).
This is due to the large size of the fiberoptic cable bundles at this location and the major
construction required for re-alignment including time, effort, and cost. A memo has
been provided by Comcast and is attached below.
ii. The cost of undergrounding such a facility outweighs the general welfare consideration
implicit in underground installation; or
Response: According to Comcast, the telecom wire service provider, the cost of work to
underground this 150 ft section of fiberoptic cable would be between $250,000 to
$400,000 and require 14 to 18 nights of traffic interruptions along 116th Ave SE. This
impact is not proportionate to the benefit of undergrounding this small portion of
overhead line, when these lines will not impact the placement of required street lights
provided by the development and parallel lines will also remain in place.
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Underground Utility Exemption Memo
iii. The growth pattern of the area has not been sufficiently established to determine the
ultimate service requirements or major service routes. (Ord. 5798, 4-25-2016)
Response: Not applicable.
Sincerely,
CORE DESIGN, INC.
Ian Faulds
Senior Project Planner