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Letter-Electrical Service Connection.pdff'�c.1890 CITY OF EDMONDS 121 5TH AVENUE NORTH • EDMONDS, WA 98020 • (425) 771-0220 • FAX (425) 771-0221 Website: wwwdedmonds.wa.us DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT Planning • Building • Engineering September 22, 2004 Mr. Stephen Waite, AIA Waite Architects 324 Main Street Edmonds, WA 98020 RE: Electrical Service Connection —119 3rd Avenue North, Edmonds Dear Mr. Waite: GARY HAAKENSON MAYOR This is in response to your letter dated September 21, 2004. I understand that the building in question (out building) was previously existing and that it was provided electrical service via an overhead line from the main residence, and that the main residence received electrical service via an overhead private utility service from the alley. ECDC 18.05.000.A.3. defines "private utility services" as "the utilities which connect a lot or commercial development with common utilities." ECDC 18.05.000.A.2. defines "common utilities" as "utilities which serve more than one lot or commercial development." The previously (and presently) existing electrical service from the alley to the main residence is a private utility service. The previously existing overhead electrical service from the main residence to the out building was not a private utility service as defined in the ECDC since it did not connect the building (or lot) to common utilities. The proposed (as we understand it) new electrical service to the out building is a private utility service as defined in the ECDC since it will connect the out building directly to the common utilities in the alley. In other words, there was previously one private electrical utility service, and the proposal (as we understand it) will have two private electrical utility services, one to the main residence and one to the out building. Therefore, the proposed electrical service to the out building from the common utility in the alley is a new private utility service and is required by ECDC 18.05.010.A.2. to be installed underground. In your letter you refer to ECDC 18.05.000.6.a.iii regarding rebuilding or replacing utilities provided that the rebuilt or replaced structures do not expand the existing utilities use within the project area by 10 percent. You state that one of Mr. Murphy's options was to replace the previously existing service wire that provided service to the out Incorporated August 11, 1890 building via the main residence, and that you believe this would not be a new private utility service. Please note that this paragraph specifically refers to rebuilding or replacing existing common utilities. Since the electrical service in question is not a common utility, this ECDC paragraph is not applicable in this situation. We agree that, if Mr. Murphy chooses to simply replace the electrical service from the main residence to the out building, the undergrounding requirements of ECDC Chapter 18.05 do not apply, and the electrical service from the main residence to the out building and from the main residence to the common utility in the alley may be overhead. I understand that we have previously advised both the PUD and Mr. Murphy of this. However, if Mr. Murphy chooses to install a new electrical service directly from the common utility in the alley to the out building, I affirm my previous decision that the undergrounding requirements of ECDC 18.05 do apply, and the new electrical service must be underground. Mr. Murphy may appeal this decision to the Hearing Examiner, or he may apply for a variance as I indicated to him in my letter of September 20, 2004. If you have any questions about my decision, please don't hesitate to call me at 771 0220. If you have any questions about the procedures and/or fees to appeal my decision or apply for a variance, please contact the Planning Division at the same phone number. Sincerely i DAVID K. GEBERT, PE City Engineer Cc: Mr. James G. Murphy, P.O. Box 504, Edmonds, WA 98020 Rob Chave, Planning Manager Jeannine Graf, Building Official Waite Architects 324 Main Street Edmonds, WA 98020 USA HAND DELIVERED 21 September 2004 Mr. Dave Gebert, City Engineer City of Edmonds Community Development Services 121 5th Avenue North Edmonds, WA 98020 RECEIVED SEP 2 1 2� 4 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES; phone (425) 774.5533 fax (425) 774.1930 RE: Utility Service at 119 3rd Avenue North Your letter to Mr. James Murphy d. 20 September 2004 Mr. Gebert, �P SEp 12004 �NGIIV��7�ING 1)1 t'7,S Mr. Murphy, the owner of the subject parcel, has forwarded your communication to us. During your review of underground utility requirements perhaps some pertinent information may not have been made available for your consideration. Specifically, the building in question has existed for several decades with overhead service from the main residence on the same tax parcel. We believe one of Mr. Murphy's options was to replace that existing service wire with one of similar gauge that would not exceed 10 percent of the original size or load use. ( Please refer to ECDC 18.05.000 (6 a iii) ). Additionally, we believe this work would not be, pursuant to ECDC 18.05.000 definition, a new private utility service. If you concur that Mr. Murphy is exempt from underground requirements and may perform work as described above could you please notify him by telephone (425.771.6189) as soon as possible, with follow up written communication, so that he may proceed with said work. Respectfully, Stephen Waite, AIA Principal scw/jky II?C.189'�, CITY OF EDMONDS 121 5TH AVENUE NORTH • EDMONDS, WA 98020 • (425) 771-0220 • FAX (425) 771-0221 Website: www.dedmondsma.us DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT Planning • Building • Engineering September 20, 2004 Mr. James G. Murphy P.O. Box 504 Edmonds, WA 98020 RE: Electrical Connection —119 3ra Avenue North, Edmonds Dear Mr. Murphy: GARY HAAKENSON MAYOR I have reviewed your letter dated September 15, 2004, requesting that you he allowed to connect the electrical service for your project at 119 3rd Avenue North via overhead service rather than underground service. As I understand your letter, the reasons that you believe you should be allowed to connect your electrical services overhead are primarily that other electrical services in the vicinity of your project are overhead and that the cost and time to install the service underground would be excessive. In reviewing your situation, I have determined that the electrical connection to your building is a new private utility service as defined by Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) 18.05.000. In accordance with ECDC 18.05.010, all private utility services installed after the effective date of the ordinance shall be underground. Therefore, it is my determination that the electrical connection to your building at 119 3ra Avenue North is required by the Edmonds Community Development Code to be installed underground. I have enclosed for your review a copy of ECDC Chapter 18.05. I do not have the authority to approve installation of your electrical connection overhead. However, ECDC 18.05.040 provides an option for you to apply for a variance from the underground requirements following the variance process described in ECDC 20.95.050. I have also enclosed a copy of ECDC Chapter 20.95 for your information and review. Please note that "the special circumstances necessary to justify a variance from the undergrounding provisions ... shall be limited to technological impracticability of any required underground installation or to a finding that the cost of the underground installation is excessive in light of the benefits derived and outweighs the benefits to be gained by the public." You are welcome to submit an application for a variance. Incorporated August 11, 1890 Sistor Cite - Hokinan JAnnn If you have any questions about my determination, please don't hesitate to call me at 771 0220. If you have any questions about the procedures and/or fees to apply for a variance, please contact the Planning Division at the same phone number. Sincerely DAVID K. GEBERT, PE City Engineer Cc: Rob Chave, Planning Manager James G Murphy September 15, 2004 Post Office Box 504 - Edmonds,` WA 98020 Office (425) 771-6189 Fax (425) 672-9385 Home (425)-778-1815 Cell -(206) 972=1671 Email jamesgauctions@attbi.com Jeu� RECEIVES qa_" y Mr. Dave Gebert, City Engineer of Edmonds E SEP 16 2004 121 City fth Avenue North NG'N�ER'NG Ol Vl SI0N Edmonds, Washington 98020 Re; - Electrical Connection —119 Third Avenue North, Edmonds Dear Mr. Gebert: At the suggestion of Mr. Jaime Hawkins, I'm writing to you regarding the electrical service at the subject address. The address is misleading, as the building is located. in the -alley between Second and Third Avenues and between Bell and Main Streets. I am asking that we be allowed to connect the electrical service overhead, rather than underground. All the current electrical services in the alley are overhead, and it seems rather unfair that we. are asked to go underground. The PUD is willing to provide overhead service but will not proceed unless an OK from the City is received. The only other requirement is that we increase the height of our mast to 18 feet, which we are prepared to do. We were advised'by the PUD that if we are required to, underground, the cost could be as high as $6,000.00;-and it would be up to six weeks before it could be installed. I have owned this property since 1984, along with,the property at 1,25 Third Avenue North. Since that time I have been contacted by many developers who would like to erect and/or build apartments. I have hesitated doing so because I would like to preserve some of the small mill houses in Edmonds. Mr. Dave Gebert, City Engineer September 15, 2004 Page Two If you would take a few minutes to look them over, it is obvious that I have spent a considerable amount of money doing so, and have been encouraged by many residents of Edmonds to continue. It is discouraging to continue these thoughts when confronted with this large expense and delay. I have included some photos for your review, showing some of the current connections and the upgrading of a very old building. I would appreciate your understanding and support for an overhead connection. My wife and I have been in residence in Edmonds since 1953, and we both are very concerned about preserving the beautiful quality of life we have in our city. Yours very truly, J up JGM:hj Enclosures 18) OT PP751-p&A �- Cl Q f ,c s-W u-4 - a t is y or f"„ - 4-� °N b l � > p j V 14-0 y-,to oC br.�.arvo7► , b t.+.,4i� pvvt��an� ®ozrhead GvIriny Lod piny no r v/i fro n-d 4//Cc /Iq - 3'e•vo. a v,4-7 9 wver/taa.d eo irin1 L00%iny S0cc fK Ar,vn-, /1 llcy .lo 6 st k$ - 0m.-fr -- r ,f'/Gon S'uMrrc.84 ?rovcf a/az ine'4 r 40 fc . ep/d Gv n d o w �. 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