CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA




 Agenda Date:          August 17, 2020

 Action Required:      Ordinance

 Presenter:            Chris Gensic, Dept. of Parks and Recreation
                       Scott Gobbi – Dominion Energy

 Staff Contacts:       Chris Gensic, Dept. of Parks and Recreation
                       John Blair, City Attorney
 Title:                Dominion Energy Underground Easement – Ragged Mountain


Background:
The City, as the owner of the Ragged Mountain Reservoir property at 1760 Reservoir Road, has been
requested to approve an easement to allow undergrounding of utilities near the Ragged Mountain
Dam as part of Dominion Energy Virginia’s (hereinafter “Dominion”) Strategic Underground
Program efforts to protect electrical supply to critical facilities and in difficult-to-maintain
locations.

In 2018, the City approved a new alignment for the underground utilities service along the entry
drive to Ragged Mountain Reservoir. After some technical reviews, Dominion has determined its
preferred route is to remain along the existing corridor that has the overhead lines at the upper most
portion of its service to Ragged Mountain Reservoir. Therefore, Dominion is requesting that this
overhead easement be converted to an underground easement. This will affect both the Ragged
Mountain Reservoir property and the newly acquired “Heyward Forest” property.

Discussion:
The Charlottesville Departments of Parks and Recreation and Utilities have reviewed the
proposed easement and survey and have no concerns with providing the easement to Dominion.

Alignment with City Council’s Vision and Strategic Plan:
The project supports City Council’s Green City Vision and Goal 2 of the Strategic Plan for a
Healthy and Safe Community.


Community Engagement:
There has not been direct community engagement about his proposal.


Budgetary Impact:
Approval of the easement will not have any budget impact to the City or Dominion.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the easement to Dominion .


Alternatives:
If the easement is not approved, the utility lines will remain overhead and exposed as they
currently are.


Attachments:
Proposed Ordinance, Right of Way Agreement with Plat
                         AN ORDINANCE
         GRANTING AN UNDERGROUND UTILITY EASEMENT TO
DOMINION ENERGY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC POWER LINES
              IN RAGGED MOUNTAIN NATURAL AREA

       WHEREAS, Dominion Energy has requested the City of Charlottesville (“City”)
to grant a permanent and temporary easement across a portion of Ragged Mountain
Natural Area along Reservoir Road, located in the County of Albemarle, as shown on the
attached plat prepared by Dominion Energy dated March 26, 2020; and,

       WHEREAS, the proposed easement will allow construction of a new placement
of an underground utility service that would follow existing overhead utility lines at the
upper most portion of its service to Ragged Mountain Reservoir; and

       WHEREAS, in accordance with Virginia Code Sec. 15.2-1800(B), a public
hearing was held on August 17, 2020 to give the public an opportunity to comment on the
conveyance of these easements; and

      WHEREAS, City staff have reviewed the request and have no objection to the
conveyance of said easements to Dominion Energy.

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of
Charlottesville, Virginia that the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute a Right of Way
Agreement and such other documents as may be requested by Dominion Energy, in a
form approved by the City Attorney, to convey the above-described utility easement to
Dominion Energy.