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Cottonwood Heights reviews All West fiber franchise; council and company discuss resident notifications and restoration
Summary
City staff introduced ordinance 4-60, a standard telecommunications franchise with All West Fiber to use public rights-of-way. Council members pressed the company and staff on notification, landscaping restoration and private-property limits; staff said permitting and preconstruction processes have been strengthened.
City staff presented ordinance 4-60 on Jan. 6, a telecommunications franchise agreement requested by All West Fiber to use Cottonwood Heights’ public rights-of-way. The ordinance is a form franchise the city has used before; staff said the company would be required to follow city codes and construction standards if approved.
Council members and residents raised concerns about past fiber construction disturbing park strips and private landscaping without adequate advance notice. One council member said constituents had difficulty identifying which company was performing work on their property. In response, staff said the city has “beefed up” its right-of-way permitting and notification processes, and that All West would be required to pull permits, attend preconstruction meetings and follow door-hanger and posted-notice requirements.
A representative identified in the meeting as "Bridal Gonzales with All West Fiber" described the company’s phased deployment plan, saying the project would use a mix of aerial and underground construction methods, including boring and limited pits to minimize damage. Gonzales said the company intends to coordinate with the city and provide local points of contact for residents and would perform walk-throughs before and after work in neighborhoods.
Staff emphasized that the franchise covers only the public right-of-way and that contractors may not enter private property to perform work without the property owner’s permission. Council members pressed staff and the company to make contact information readily available to residents and to ensure restoration work is completed promptly; staff said restoration is typically accomplished the same day for small pits and that the city will require restoration and follow-up as part of the permitting process.
The ordinance remained on the business meeting agenda for formal consideration. No final vote occurred during the work session; staff indicated All West could be invited to the business meeting so council members could ask further questions.
