§ 21-231. Location standards.

(a)

The primary concern in the design and location of utility installations is protection of the right-of-way and the safety of the highway user. A secondary concern is aesthetics. In all cases, full consideration shall be given to sound engineering principles and design and to economic factors.

(b)

Where possible, all longitudinal underground utility facilities should be placed within seven (7) feet inside of the outer edge of the right-of-way line. Above-ground facilities should be placed at or as close as practical to the right-of-way line. If sidewalk removal is required, replacement should be in accordance with Appendix Q or R.

(c)

(1)
If an entity owns or maintains one (1) or more sets of poles with accompanying overhead lines along a right-of-way or road, and the entity proposes to install another set of poles along the same right-of-way road, the entity shall co-locate all the lines on a single set of poles along one (1) side of the right-of-way or road. In doing so, the entity shall utilize the least number of poles, lowest height of poles and poles of uniform height, all in keeping with sound engineering principles and design.

(2)

If an entity owns or maintains more than one (1) set of poles with accompanying overhead lines along a right-of-way or road, and the entity is required to remove and relocate some or all of the poles and accompanying overhead lines due to roadway construction along one (1) or both sides of a right-of-way or road, the entity shall co-locate all the lines on a single set of poles along one (1) side of the right-of-way or road. In doing so, the entity shall utilize the least number of poles, lowest height of poles, and poles of uniform height, all in keeping with sound engineering principles and design.

(d)

If utility lines are required to be installed underground within a development, extension of any utility lines across a right-of-way or road in order to serve the development shall be accomplished underground consistent with subsection 21-232(b), all in keeping with sound engineering principles and design.

(e)

Proposed location of poles, fire hydrants, water meters, etc., should take into consideration future road widening, sidewalk, storm drainage or other construction. Minimum guidelines for roadside recovery area are shown in the State of Florida Department of Transportation Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highway. Deviations require approval by the county engineer.

(f)

Water meter boxes shall not be placed within the limits of a proposed or existing sidewalk.

(g)

Pursuant to the provisions of the applicable Florida Statutes, no person shall place, maintain or display upon any county road right-of-way any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal. No person shall place or maintain upon any county roadway any sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising, except as may be authorized by the applicable Florida Statutes and the county, provided that such commercial advertising is also in compliance with applicable state and local regulations. The county engineer, or his designated representative, is empowered to remove every sign, signal or marking prohibited by this subsection or cause it to be removed without notice.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, F.S. § 316.077; prohibition against duplication of F.S. ch. 316, F.S. § 316.007.

(h)

Fences and gates shall not be installed within dedicated public rights-of-way of the county unless the construction of such fence or gate has been permitted by the board of county commissioners in accordance with any applicable Florida Statute. Any unauthorized installation shall be a violation of this section, and the county engineer, or his designated representative, is empowered to remove the same or cause it be removed, without notice, and the board of county commissioners may institute appropriate legal action.

(Right-of-Way Utilization Regs., § VIII; Ord. No. 91-13, § 10, 5-21-91; Ord. No. 97-12, § 2, 7-15-97)