§ 40-748. Regulations for public utility structures.

(a)

Utility poles shall be limited as follows:

(1)

Wooden, fiberglass, concrete, steel or aluminum poles having a maximum circumference of forty-three (43) inches, measured at six (6) feet above the ground.

(2)

Wires and associated structures, not more than fifty (50) feet in height above ground.

(3)

Used in connecting with electrical distribution, carrying a nominal voltage of sixty-nine thousand (69,000) volt amps of electricity or less for local distribution only.

(4)

Exceptions to the maximum height requirements may be granted by the director of the department of inspection and code enforcement where crossings must be made of railroads, major roadways, waterways or other obstructions.

(5)

Utility poles must be located in an easement, servitude or other right-of-way of sufficient width such that all crossarms, guy wires, and other support equipment shall not overhang private property.

(6)

Utility poles shall be located as near as practical to the intersection of side property lot lines with the front or rear property lot line.

(7)

Utility poles shall not be placed in public sidewalks or other paved public way. Exemptions to this provision must be approved in writing prior to installation by the director of the department of public works.

See Article XXXIX, Exceptions and Modifications, for additional criteria.

(b)

Public utility substations:

(1)

Public utility substations shall be permitted in BC-2 and more restrictive districts upon approval by the parish council through Article XL, Special Permitted Uses. Said uses shall also be subject to the provisions of subsections a., b., c. and d. below. Such uses shall also be permitted in the MUCD, Mixed Use Corridor District, but shall be reviewed and regulated under the provisions of the MUCD regulations. Communications SLC shelters, cable, cross connect panels, interfaces and cabinets shall be permitted as set forth in section 40-747(c)(4) and (5).

a.

A public utility substation shall be buffered from the adjacent property by the provision of a visual barrier. Said barrier shall not be less than six (6) feet in height, and shall consist of such material as masonry, wood or metal or combination thereof in conjunction with ornamental vegetation. Said barrier shall be established in accordance with the front yard requirements in the district in which it is located in compliance with all applicable codes of Jefferson Parish.

b.

Where a new public utility substation is located adjacent to a residential zoning district, or any district which permits single-, two-, three- and four- and multiple-family housing, no structure within the grounds of said substation may be located closer to any property line than the minimum front yard requirement of the residential district to which said substation is adjacent.

c.

Additions to an existing public utility substation, as permitted in subsection (b)(1) above, shall be a minimum of sixteen (16) feet from all property lines.

d.

No part of a public utility substation shall be erected to a height greater than the maximum height permitted in the district in which it is located, except where such substation is located adjacent to a residential district or any district which permits single-, two-, three- and four-, and multiple-family housing, there shall be an additional yard setback from the common lot line(s) a distance of one (1) foot of yard for each foot of additional structure height in excess of the height so permitted.

(2)

Public utilities substations are permitted in C-2 and less restrictive districts as uses by right, except where such uses abut residentially zoned land, or any district which permits single-, two-, three- and four-, and multiple-family housing, in which case public utility substations shall also be subject to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) above. Such uses shall also be permitted in the MUCD, Mixed Use Corridor District, but shall be reviewed and regulated under the provisions of the MUCD regulations.

(c)

Electric and communications transmission lines:

(1)

Electric transmission lines and associated structures may be permitted in BC-2 and less restrictive districts upon approval of the Parish Council through Article XL, Special Permitted Uses.

(2)

Electric transmission lines shall be permitted in C-2 and less restrictive districts as uses by right, except where such uses abut residentially zoned land, or any district which permits single-, two-, three- and four-, and multiple-family housing, in which case said transmission lines shall also be subject to the provisions of Article XL, Special Permitted Uses.

(3)

Electric transmission lines shall also be permitted in the MUCD, Mixed Use Corridor District, but shall be reviewed and regulated under the provisions of the MUCD regulations.

(4)

Communications transmission lines, trunks, paths and channels shall be permitted by right in C-1 and more restrictive districts, except that the following equipment shall be permitted upon approval of the parish council through Article XL, Special Permitted Uses:

a.

SLC (subscriber line carrier) shelters.

b.

Coaxial cables exceeding an outside diameter of one (1) inch, including wraps, insulation and jackets.

c.

Fiber optic cables exceeding one (1) inch in diameter that are installed above ground.

d.

Communications or telemetry channels, paths or beams that use, but are not limited to, microwave, laser or other high frequency/energy through-the-air transmission technology at heights of less than sixty-five (65) feet above ground.

(5)

Communications structures of sixty (60) cubic feet by volume or less and whose front faces are thirty (30) square feet or less, including, but not limited to, cross connect panels, interfaces and cabinets, may be permitted in those districts listed in subsection (c)(4) above upon approval in writing prior to installation by the directors of the department of inspection and code enforcement and the department of public works.

(Ord. No. 20783, § 3(XX(12)), 9-22-99; Ord. No. 22962, § 15, 1-10-07)