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Council begins first reading of telecom right‑of‑way rules, providers urge more review
Summary
Council advanced a first reading of Ordinance 536a to update Chapter 3.8 — banning microtrenching, setting a 72‑inch minimum burial depth for communications, vertical clearances, and relocation responsibilities — while Charter and AT&T asked for time for staff‑level review and a stakeholder work session.
City staff presented a proposed amendment to Chapter 3.8 of the city code that would tighten city control over utility work in rights of way, including a prohibition on microtrenching, a minimum burial depth for communications lines of 72 inches, a minimum 16‑foot vertical clearance for overhead lines, and a requirement that utilities relocate facilities at their expense within 30 days of notice in specified triggers. Development/street coordination and removal of abandoned infrastructure at provider expense were also highlighted as key changes.
Private‑sector representatives asked for more time to review the draft. Paige Johnson of AT&T Texas told the council, "the ordinance would force AT and T to relocate our facilities at our sole expense for almost any city‑initiated project," and asked the council to defer adoption and convene a stakeholder session. Thomas Agui of Charter said his company received the language only the previous day and requested additional time to meet with the public works director. Staff said the ordinance will return for a second reading on June 16 and offered one‑on‑one meetings to address specific concerns.
