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ends without connecting to another feeder circuit . With this type of design , if there is a fault on the radial line all customers connected to the line will be out of service until a repair can be made . In an underground system , the line serving the street will be looped between two feeder connection points with an open point in the middle , generally at a transformer . If a fault occurs , it will only affect a portion of the looped system . Utility crews responding to the problem can isolate the problem area , restoring service to as much of the loop as possible while keeping the problem area de-energized .
Aesthetics : The Town of Palm Beach maintains a high standard of visual aesthetics throughout the Town . Review boards such as the Town ’ s Architectural Commission ( ARCOM ), the Landmarks Preservation Commission , and the Town Council are charged with protecting this visual image through a thorough review process for any construction and renovation projects within the Town . The relocation of overhead utilities to an underground location provides an opportunity to enhance the visual aesthetics in the Town and allows greater flexibility for architectural and landscape architectural improvements in areas that were previously restricted by overhead utilities .
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Following the studies and reports written for the Town on the conversion of overhead utilities to an underground location , several small-scale neighborhood projects were launched :
• yVia Fontana
• yWorth Avenue
• yEverglades Island
• yLake Towers
• yNightingale Trail and La Puerta Way
While some additional projects were discussed with Town staff , the list above represents those neighborhood projects that were either completed or are currently under construction . In addition , there are several smaller scale undergrounding projects completed by individual residents and businesses .
In October 2014 , representatives from Florida Power & Light ( FPL ) presented to the Town Council an overview of their Hardening Plans within the Town . FPL is required by the Florida Public Service Commission ( PSC ) to harden their electrical distribution infrastructure to increase system reliability in the wake of the hurricanes experienced in FPL ’ s service area over the last decade . Hardened infrastructure generally consists of replacing existing utility poles with larger
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concrete poles that can withstand higher wind speeds . FPL ’ s hardening plan would only harden the main feeder lines in town and would generally not upgrade radial infrastructure located in rear yard easement .
The Town Council ultimately decided that hardened poles would have a negative impact on the Town ’ s aesthetics and that a conversion of the overhead utilities to an underground location should be pursued to improve reliability . Through numerous public meetings and discussions , the process moved forward and a bond assessment methodology was developed and approved by Town Council . An Underground Utility Task Force ( UUTF ) made up of citizens of the Town was formed and began to provide guidance and recommendations to the Town Council on the subject of overhead to underground utility conversion .
On March 15 , 2016 , Town voters approved a bond referendum to fund a Town-wide undergrounding program to relocate overhead utilities within in Town ’ s limits to an underground location . Kimley-Horn and Associates , Inc . was selected by the Town to serve as the Engineering Consultant for the program . The initial task was the development of an overall Master Plan to provide a guide for the implementation of the program .
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Typical Hardened Utility Pole |
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6 | CHAPTER TWO |
TOWN OF PALM BEACH |