Resident outlines power-line routing and permit needs for proposed Rush Valley home; Rocky Mountain Power to provide drawings

Andrew Byers, a Rush Valley resident, told the Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 8 that Rocky Mountain Power will run overhead lines across Highway 199 and along a recorded easement to serve a planned home on his five-acre parcel. Byers described a proposed three-pole route across the highway, a transformer at a pole near the property, and a customer-owned meter pole set at an angle about 50 feet from the transformer location with a short underground run to the house.

Byers said Rocky Mountain Power preferred a straight run on the east side of his private access road to avoid angled spans and extra guy wires. The utility will provide formal drawings and requires easements; Byers and town staff said those easement arrangements have been discussed with the utility. Town staff and Ensign Engineering told Byers they need the utility's drawing included with an electrical application before the town will finalize the permit and authorize the connection.

Town clerk Patty Rowe and the commission explained the local permit process: the applicant must submit a complete electrical application with Rocky Mountain Power's drawings and other required materials; Ensign Engineering will review technical plans and return fee calculations to the clerk; the town issues approval and the town will not authorize the utility to connect service until the permit and fees are paid. Commissioners said the utility can perform work before the permit is paid, but the town does not provide final authorizations or make the final connection until the permit has been paid and approved.

Byers raised detailed site-planning questions and the commission provided local setback and inspection rules. The commission recited the applicable setback distances discussed at the meeting: 30 feet from the front property line, 50 feet from the rear property line and 20 feet for side yards. Members said the same setbacks apply to detached outbuildings and recommended a 10- to 15-foot clearance between the main residence and a detached structure; Byers said his proposed barn would be 64 feet deep. The parcel in discussion was described as a conforming five-acre lot.

Commission staff said Rocky Mountain Power will install the poles and transformer up to the transformer location; the resident will set a customer-owned pole for the meter and the property owner will be responsible for the underground feed from that pole to the house. Janelle Russell's existing pole and property were mentioned as a site where the utility may place a guy wire to stabilize the new span.

Byers asked how long the town review takes. Staff said timing depends on whether the submittal is complete; a complete application with the utility's drawings and required well, septic/wastewater and site-test documentation will allow a quicker turnaround. Ensign Engineering conducts the technical review and returns the fee determination to the clerk. The clerk will then issue the permit once reviews and fees are complete. No specific deadline for review completion was given in the meeting.

Byers and staff discussed meters and disconnects: the utility will place a transformer near the end of the overhead run; the meter will typically be on the meter pole and a disconnect device will be required at the house.

No formal action or vote was taken on the application at the Jan. 8 meeting; commissioners described the documentation needed for a complete electrical application and the sequence for utility work, town review and final connection.