§ 35.24.1.3. General Regulations.

A.

All applicable electric industry practices and guidelines set forth in the National Electrical Safety Code, as it may be hereafter amended (NESC) are hereby adopted and shall apply to electric transmission lines, distribution lines, substations, and switch stations. To the extent that this Ordinance conflicts with standards adopted in the NESC, the more restrictive standards shall apply.

B.

All applicable protection standards set forth in the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection Standards (NERC CIP), in its most current version, are hereby adopted and shall apply to electric transmission lines, distribution lines, and substations. To the extent that this Ordinance conflicts with standards adopted in the NERC CIP, the more restrictive standard shall apply.

C.

Adequate consideration shall be given to the selection to include route evaluation, topography, drainage, size in relation to setbacks, roadway access, distances to residences/schools/businesses, existing trees, unique ecology, and sensitivity to cultural resources in conformance with the Denton Development Code, NERC CIP and NESC standards, Electric Service Standards, and other local, State, and/or Federal law.

D.

A development plat shall be required for proposed substation and switch station sites in accordance with the requirements established in Texas Local Government Code Ch. 211, Subchapter B and the Denton Development Code.

E.

Transmission Line Clearance Standards.

1.

The following standards shall be applicable to all new electric transmission lines.

i.

69kV transmission lines. A minimum of sixty-foot wide electric transmission clearance easement is required on real property affected by 69kV electric transmission lines, said clearance easement being more specifically required as being a minimum of thirty (30) feet from either side of the centerline of the particular transmission pole(s). Clearance criteria in the National Electric Safety Code may require greater clearance widths in some instances.

ii.

138kV transmission lines. A minimum of seventy-five-foot wide electric transmission clearance easement is required on real property affected by 138kV electric transmission lines, said clearance easement being more specifically required as being a minimum of thirty and one-half (37.5) feet from either side of the centerline of the particular transmission pole(s). Clearance criteria in the National Electric Safety Code may require greater clearance widths in some instances.

2.

The following standards shall be applicable to all existing electric transmission lines.

i.

For existing transmission lines and for transmission lines being constructed or reconstructed in developed areas, the utility may elect to perform NESC analysis and calculations to determine if safe and adequate reduced easement widths can be utilized in lieu of the standard sixty- and seventy-five-foot widths as stated above.

F.

Distribution Line Clearance Standards.

1.

The following standards shall be applicable to all new electric distribution lines that operate at 13.2kV/7.62kV Grounded Wye. Additional electric distribution service and clearance requirements are further defined within the Electric Service Standards.

i.

13.2kV/7.62kV distribution lines. A minimum of thirty-five-foot wide electric distribution clearance easement is required on real property affected by 13.2kV/7.62kV Grounded Wye electric distribution lines, said clearance easement being more specifically required as being a minimum of seventeen and one-half (17.5) feet from either side of the centerline of the particular distribution pole(s).

ii.

Clearance criteria in the National Electrical Safety Code may require greater clearance widths in some instances.

2.

The following standards shall be applicable to all existing electric distribution lines.

i.

For existing distribution lines and for distribution lines being constructed or reconstructed in developed areas, the utility may elect to perform NESC analysis and calculations to determine that safe and adequate reduced easement widths can be utilized in lieu of the standard 35 foot width state above.

G.

Unobstructed and adequate space shall be provided for all clearance areas required by this subchapter that will allow ingress and egress for utility-related personnel and equipment to perform operations, maintenance and replacement of electric supply and communication lines. Such clearance provision shall be included in the design and construction when real property is developed or altered. Such clearance areas shall be recorded by the property developer or by the record owner on subdivision plats; or shall be evidenced by written instrument, duly recorded, in the Public Records of Denton County, Texas.

H.

Regulations contained herein are intended to supplement any regulations contained in Chapter 26 of the Denton Code of Ordinances and not to replace such existing regulations.