Jacksonville staff, council and utilities negotiate right-of-way notice, bond and inspection changes

At a continuing ordinance 20204950 bill notice meeting, city staff, council members and representatives of utility and telecom companies discussed proposed revisions to Jacksonville's right-of-way permit rules, focusing on three main areas: advance notice to nearby property owners, surety-bond levels for restoration, and certification or documentation of inspections.

The discussion centered on a proposed notification rule that would require permittees to notify property owners within 350 feet of a project site five business days before work begins for any project estimated to last more than two days. Jason Teal, Office of General Counsel, summarized the city's approach: "the proposed changes to this is gonna divide up the types of projects..." explaining that projects affecting a single adjacent single-family residence would carry lighter notice requirements than projects that affect multiple properties.

Industry representatives said they prefer a duration-based trigger. Carlo Fassi, representing TECO/Peoples Gas, said the industry's substitute would require notice only for "projects lasting 2 or more days" and that for "major projects in the right of way, we would communicate as we do already" to affected property owners. Ms. Sickler, speaking for Public Works/Development Services, told the group "We have no changes in our position. We are, glad to provide any, answers that you may have." The city staff acknowledged the current permit application does not require an estimated project duration; Jerry (Jared) Carter, a Peoples Gas…