The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication (M&C) is to authorize the granting of an electric utility easement to Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC (OED), at Forest Park (Park) for the purpose of relocating electrical service lines.

The Fort Worth Zoo is currently in the process of building a new elephant holding building adjacent to the parking lot that serves the Zoo Administration Building. During construction of the elephant building pad, the contractor discovered that the existing power line was located outside of the area designated in the historical "as built" drawings.   The "as built" drawings indicated the line to be 5' outside of the elephant building, when, In fact, the power line was discovered to be 10'-15' within the elephant building's footprint.  

Oncor has approved the new location of the line and has allowed construction to continue but is requesting a permanent easement for its infrastructure. The power line will be relocated under the existing Zoo Administration parking lot, which will not have any impact on trees or the Zoo's operations. The Park and Recreation Department will work with the Zoo and OED to ensure that all reasonable planning is in place to minimize harm to the Park and that the Park will be restored to a condition as similar to or better than existed prior to construction.  The electrical utility easement will be 10' wide and approximately 2,700 square feet.

In accordance with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 26, the City of Fort Worth seeks to use approximately 0.062 acres of parkland for the purpose of granting an electric utility easement within the Park. Attached is an exhibit of the proposed site for the easement.

On November 16, 2016, the Park and Recreation Advisory Board endorsed staff's recommendation to the City Council to authorize the use of approximately 0.062 acres of parkland in the Park as proposed.  

In accordance with State law, public notice of the hearing was advertised in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on November 17, 2016, November 24, 2016 and December 1, 2016.  An exhibit map was available for public review at the Park and Recreation Department administrative offices located at 4200 South Freeway, Suite 2200, Fort Worth, Texas 76115.

A letter announcing the proposed use was sent to the presidents of the Berkeley Place, Colonial Heights, Frisco Heights, Mistletoe Heights, Park Hill, Paschal, University Place and University West Neighborhood Associations on November 11, 2016.  Signage was posted at the site noting the proposed use and providing instructions for directing comments to the Park and Recreation Department.  Staff will note any public comment received during the public hearing Report of City Staff.