In cases in which the approval of the department is not required, the city or county shall give notice to the department of any application for a franchise affecting a state highway at the time of the filing of such application by any applicant, so that the department may present to the legislative body of the city or county, as the case may be, any considerations by it deemed to be important. Such notice shall be given to the appropriate district director.
Ca. Sts. and High. Code § 688