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Spokane County OKs code changes requiring removal of redundant utility poles
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to amend two Spokane County Code sections to require franchisees to remove redundant utility poles from county rights of way; proponents said the changes will clear sidewalks and reduce hazards, while implementation details will involve the county engineer and franchise agreements.
Spokane County commissioners voted 4-0 Feb. 18 to amend county code language to require cable and other utility franchisees to remove redundant utility poles left in county rights of way after new poles are placed.
Supporters, led by presenter Deborah Fergens, told the board that when a new utility pole is installed, some providers do not transfer facilities from the old pole to the new one in a timely way, leaving two poles in the same location and creating obstacles for sidewalks, drainage and traffic. “When a new utility pole is placed … various utilities are not transferring their facilities to new poles in a timely manner, causing old defunct poles to remain in place,” Fergens said during the public hearing.
The amendments target two code sections: Spokane County Code section 7.40.12(h), which the board amended to cover cable franchisees, and Spokane County Code section 9.55.040(d), expanded to cover other utilities. Fergens and commissioners said identical franchise language had already been used in new or revised franchise agreements and the code change is meant to codify that requirement.
A member of the public, Aiden Franklin, asked whether the county would enforce removals with fines or pay for pole removal from taxpayer dollars. Fergens said the proposed code would allow the county engineer to inspect permitted pole work; if a franchisee did not transfer facilities off an old pole within a set period, the county engineer could assess an inspection fee and pursue enforcement under the code. She also said utilities and the county engineer would coordinate on whether poles could be cut flush at grade or required to be fully removed for safety reasons.
Fergens told the board that Avista and Inland Power had communicated support for the change. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved both code amendments with no further discussion; the motions passed 4 to 0.
The amendments require implementation steps that will be coordinated by Spokane County Public Works and the county engineer’s office. County staff and proponents said enforcement will rely on permit reviews and inspections tied to pole replacement permits.
