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Commission adopts undergrounding standard 'to the maximum extent practicable' with narrow exceptions
Summary
Commissioners approved Section F requiring power and communications lines be placed underground 'to the maximum extent practicable,' with an applicant burden to show hardship or cost‑prohibitive reasons for overhead lines; language includes NEC and state/utility requirements and a BESS monitoring/emergency shutdown provision.
The Planning Commission agreed to code language that would require undergrounding of project power and communications infrastructure 'to the maximum extent practicable' while allowing overhead lines only where an applicant demonstrates hardship or cost prohibition. Consultant Rachel Granrath explained the draft requires the applicant to bear the burden of proof on hardship and to comply with NEC, state, and utility standards, and it adds BESS‑specific monitoring and emergency shutdown expectations.
Commissioner Weston Kane moved to approve Section F 'as read' and Brian Davies seconded; the Commission approved the section. The vote followed a brief exchange with Public Works about right‑of‑way setbacks and Mark Storey noting that 50 feet from the right‑of‑way has been typical practice for County roads, though the Commission had already voted to make the minimum 100 feet for these facilities.
Staff will incorporate the undergrounding language into both solar and BESS sections of the draft ordinance and will identify consistent criteria for hardship or cost‑prohibitive exceptions.
