Explanation
Background: The City has determined that the design and implementation of public improvements directly affect the public health, safety and welfare of citizens who are utilizing the streets, roadways and other public properties and impact the aesthetic character of the City. The City of Columbus has also made a significant investment for the relocation and burial of previously existing overhead utilities lines along North High Street and Lane Avenue as a part of various roadway improvement projects completed and/or contemplated within the areas. As a result, the Public Service Department is recommending that City Council create the "North High Street/Lane Avenue Underground Utility District" in order to protect the City's investment and perpetually maintain the resulting aesthetic improvement of these roadways. The District will include the following:
1. North High Street, from Interstate 670 to Arcadia Avenue,
2. Lane Avenue, from Olentangy River Road to the first alley east of North High Street, and
3. The first twenty-five (25) feet of adjoining public alleys and roadways that intersect with North High Street or Lane Avenue within the limits previously described.
The creation of this utility district will prohibit the future installation of overhead utility lines, wires, cables, transformers, or other appurtenances, including transverse crossings of the right-of-way, and other above ground utility features. This prohibition shall be extended to all parties intending to install utilities within this district, including those owned and operated by the City of Columbus, with the exception of traffic signals, streetlight poles, and luminaries. However, the short term temporary installation of overhead and/or above ground utility features will be allowed to provide emergency service, but shall be removed at the earliest moment possible.
Those limited number of existing overhead or above ground utilities that remain within...
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