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Council adopts staff interpretation of undergrounding code, limiting new transmission poles in city right‑of‑way
Summary
Wilsonville adopted a staff memorandum interpreting city code to require undergrounding of utilities and to prohibit installation of new high‑voltage transmission poles in the public right‑of‑way; the formal interpretation was adopted by a 5‑0 vote after city attorney briefing.
The Wilsonville City Council voted unanimously on March 17 to adopt a staff memorandum interpreting city code provisions governing undergrounding of utilities, a vote that staff said clarifies that new high‑voltage transmission poles are not permitted in city right‑of‑way under the cited code sections.
City Attorney Amanda Guile Hinman presented a memorandum interpreting Wilsonville Code provisions 3.34 and 4.3–4.32, which generally govern undergrounding requirements. Hinman said Portland General Electric had applied for a right‑of‑way permit to install new high‑voltage transmission poles along Southwest Grims Ferry Road and had argued that an exemption applied; staff told PGE the code allows transmission lines to remain on existing poles but does not permit installation of new transmission poles in the right‑of‑way.
Hinman said PGE referenced a different code provision intended to exempt existing high‑voltage transmission lines from undergrounding when new development occurs, but that nothing in the code allows utility companies to install new transmission poles in the city right‑of‑way. Council directed staff to adopt the interpretation as presented and voted 5‑0 on a motion to do so.
City Manager Brian Cosgrove and the city attorney indicated staff would follow up with PGE about permit requirements and next steps under the adopted interpretation. The council’s action clarifies the city’s position on how its undergrounding rules apply to high‑voltage transmission projects in public rights‑of‑way but does not itself approve or deny any specific PGE permit application; staff indicated any permit application from PGE would be evaluated under the adopted interpretation.
