Plan Commission forwards two utility-easement requests from TDS to city council

The Janesville Plan Commission on Oct. 6 voted to forward two easement requests from TDS Telecommunications to the city council with a favorable recommendation. The requests seek conveyance of six-foot-wide utility easements on city-owned riverfront parcels to allow underground fiber crossings north and south of downtown Janesville.

A planning staff overview said the easements would allow TDS to cross the Rock River to link fiber infrastructure on both sides of downtown, tie into facilities north of Mercy Health Mall and run parallel to an existing underground natural gas corridor near the Jackson Street Bridge, Monterey Park and the Boys & Girls Club. The easement corridors are intended to complete fiber routes that staff said will improve citywide service.

“Planning staff is recommending that the commission forward both requests to the city council with a favorable recommendation,” staff said. The commission’s motion noted the planning commission had not reviewed the financial aspects of the transaction; staff indicated financial terms are handled separately in the staff reports to the council.

Commissioners voted to forward the two items together. The motion passed unanimously on a roll-call vote of the commissioners present. The requests will proceed to the city council, where conveyance and any compensation or conditions will be considered as part of council action and any required public review.