HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 21-19 Policy for Small Wireless FacilitiesRESOLUTION NO. 21=19
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CITY COUNCIL POLICY FOR
SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES
THE CITY COUNCIL
City of Morro Bay, California
WHEREAS, Signcant changes in federal law have recently been enacted, which affect
local authority over small wireless facilities, as defined in 47 CFR 1.6002(1); and
WHEREAS, On March 26, 20197 the City
adding Chapter 12.12 to the Municipal Code,
Facilities in the Public Right -of -Way (Wireless
immediately; and
adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 620,
entitled Wireless Telecommunications
Ordinance), which became effective
WHEREAS, Section 12.12.040(D) of the Wireless Ordinance authorizes the City
Council to adopt additional regulations regarding the permitting of small wireless
facilities (SWFs); and
WHEREAS, In response to the changes in federal law, and as authorized by the
Wireless Ordinance, the City proposes adoption of a new City Council Policy, which
would establish requirements for permitting, operation, and maintenance of small
wireless facilities within the City of Morro Bay; and
WHEREAS, The City Council Small Wireless Facilities Policy would provide the
maximum amount of local control for small wireless facilities considering the revisions to federal
law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay,
California, as follows:
1. The above recitations are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
2. The City Council Small Wireless Facilities Policy, attached hereto as Exhibit A
and incorporated herein by reference, is hereby approved, adopted and established as
City policy.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay at a regular
meeting of the City Council held on 26th day of March 2019, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
Headding, Addis, Davis, Heller
None
None
��Sl�ycv►�sorJ
SWANSON, City Clerk
Exhibit A
COUNCIL POLICY
SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES PER 47 CFR I.6002(I)
"SWF REGULATIONS"
SUBJECT:
Small Wireless Facilities (Administrative
Approvals and Standards)
AUTHORITY:
Resolution No. 21-19
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DATE ADOPTED:
March 26, 2019
SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS......................................................................................1
SECTION 1.1 PURPOSE AND INTENT...........................................................................1
SECTION 1.2 GENERAL DEFINITIONS.........................................................................1
SECTION 2. SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES.........................................................................2
SECTION 2.1 APPLICABILITY; REQUIRED. PERMITS AND APPROVALS .............2
SECTION 2.2 SMALL CELL PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS;
PRE- APPLICATION PUBLIC NOTICING REQUIREMENTS ...............3
SECTION 2.3 SMALL CELL PERMIT APPLICATION SUBMITTAL AND
COMPLETENESS REVIEW......................................................................6
SECTION 2.4 ADDITIONAL FINDINGS FOR SWFs.....................................................7
SECTION 2.5 STANDARD CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL..........................................7
SECTION 2.6 LOCATION REQUIREMENTS.................................................................9
SECTION 2.7 DESIGN STANDARDS............................................................................10
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SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1.1 PURPOSE AND INTENT
This Policy is not intended to, nor shall it be interpreted or applied to: (1) prohibit or effectively
prohibit any personal wireless service provider's ability to provide personal wireless services;
(2) prohibit or effectively prohibit any entity's ability to provide any interstate or intrastate
telecommunications service, subject to any competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory rules,
regulations or other legal requirements for rights -of -way management; (3) unreasonably
discriminate among providers of functionally equivalent services; (4) deny any request for
authorization to place, construct or modify personal wireless service facilities on the basis of
environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that such wireless facilities
comply with the FCC' s regulations concerning such emissions; (5) prohibit any collocation or
modification that the City may not deny under federal or California state law; (6) impose any
unfair, unreasonable, discriminatory or anticompetitive fees that exceed the reasonable cost to
provide the services for which the fee is charged; or (7) otherwise authorize the City to preempt
any applicable federal or California law.
SECTION 1.2 GENERAL DEFINITIONS
(a) Undefined Terms. Undefined phrases, terms or words in this Policy will have the
meanings assigned to them in Chapter 12.12 of Title 12 of the Morro Bay Municipal
Code, as may be amended or superseded, and, if not defined therein, will have their
ordinary meanings. If any definition assigned to any phrase, term or word in this Policy
conflicts with any federal or state -mandated definition, the federal or state -mandated
definition will control.
(b) Defined Terms.
(1) "approval authority" means the City official responsible for reviewing
applications for small cell permits and vested with the authority to approve,
conditionally approve or deny such applications as provided in this Policy. The
approval authority for applications in connection with small wireless facilities
within the public rights -of --way shall be the Public Works Department.
(2) "arterial road" means a road designed primarily for long-distance travel with a
typical curb -to -curb width of 50 feet, high traffic capacity and low accessibility
from neighboring roads. The term "arterial road" as used in this Policy is defined
in the City of Morro Bay General Plan, Circulation Element.
(3) "collector road" means a road designed primarily as a connection between local
roads and arterials, with a typical curb -to -curb width of 44 feet, moderate to low
traffic capacity and high accessibility from local roads. The term "collector road"
as used in this Policy is defined in the City of Morro Bay General Plan,
Circulation Element.
(4) "concealed" or "concealment" means camouflaging techniques that integrate the
transmission equipment into the surrounding natural and/or built environment
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such that the average, untrained observer cannot directly view the equipment but
would likely recognize the existence of the wireless facility or concealment
technique. Camouflaging concealment techniques include, but are not limited to:
(1) facade or rooftop mounted pop -out screen boxes; (2) antennas mounted within
a radome above a streetlight; (3) equipment cabinets in the public rights -of -way
painted or wrapped to match the background; and (4) an isolated or standalone
faux -tree.
(5) "decorative pole" means any pole that includes decorative or ornamental
features, design elements and/or materials intended to enhance the appearance of
the pole or the public rights -of --way in which the pole is located.
(6) "FCC Shot Clock" means the presumptively reasonable time frame within which
the City generally must act on a given wireless application, as defined by the FCC
and as may be amended from time to time.
(7) "ministerial permit" means any City -issued non -discretionary permit required to
commence or complete any construction or other activity subject to the City's
jurisdiction. Ministerial permits may include, without limitation, a building
permit, construction permit, electrical permit, encroachment permit, excavation
permit and/or traffic control permit.
(8) "personal wireless services" means the same as defined in 47 U.S.C. §
332(c)(7)(C)(i), as may be amended or superseded, which defines the term as
commercial mobile services, unlicensed wireless services and common carrier
wireless exchange access services.
(9) "personal wireless service facilities" means the same as defined in 47 U.S.C. §
332(c)(7)(C)(i), as may be amended or superseded, which defines the term as
facilities that provide personal wireless services.
(10) "RF" means radio frequency or electromagnetic waves generally between 30 kHz
and 300 GHz in the electromagnetic spectrum range.
(11) "Section 6409" means Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012, Pub. L. No. 112-96, 126 Stat. 156, codified as 47 U.S.C.
§ 1455(a), as may be amended.
(12) "Small cell" bears the same meaning as "small wireless facility" or "SWF" as
used in Chapter 12.12 of the Municipal Code.
SECTION 2. SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES
SECTION 2.1 APPLICABILITY; REQUIRED PERMITS AND APPROVALS
(a) Applicable Wireless Facilities. Except as expressly provided otherwise in this Policy,
the provisions in this Policy shall. be applicable to all existing small wireless facilities
(SWFs) and all applications and requests for authorization to construct, install, attach,
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operate, collocate, modify, reconstruct, relocate or otherwise deploy small wireless
facilities within the City's jurisdictional and territorial boundaries within the public
rights -of -way (PROW).
SECTION 2.2 SMALL CELL PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS; PRE -
APPLICATION PUBLIC NOTICING REQUIREMENTS
(a) Small Cell Permit Application Contents. All applications for a SWF WTFP must
include all the information and materials required in this subsection (a), unless exempted
by the approval authority.
(1) Application Form. The applicant shall submit a complete, duly executed SWF
WTFP application on the then -current form prepared pursuant to Chapter 12.12 of
the Municipal Code.
(2) Application Fee. The applicant shall submit the applicable SWF WTFP
application fee established by City Council resolution. Batched applications must
include the applicable application fee for each SWF in the batch.
(3) Construction Drawings. The applicant shall submit true and correct
construction drawings, prepared, signed and stamped by a California licensed or
registered engineer, that depict all the existing and proposed improvements,
equipment and conditions related to the proposed project, which includes without
limitation any and all poles, posts, pedestals, traffic signals, towers, streets,
sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, driveways, curbs, gutters, drains, handholes,
manholes, fire hydrants, equipment cabinets, antennas, cables, trees and other
landscape features. The construction drawings must: (i) contain cut sheets that
contain the technical specifications for all existing and proposed antennas and
accessory equipment, which includes without limitation the manufacturer, model
number and physical dimensions; (ii) identify all structures within 200 feet from
the proposed project site and call out such structures' overall height above ground
level; (iii) depict the applicant's plan for electric and data backhaul utilities, which
shall include the locations for all conduits, cables, wires, handholes, junctions,
transformers, meters, disconnect switches, and points of connection; and
(iv) demonstrate that proposed project will be in full compliance with all
applicable health and safety laws, regulations or other rules, which includes
without limitation all building codes, electric codes, local street standards and
specifications, and public utility regulations and orders.
(4) Site Survey. For any SWF proposed to be located within the PROW, the
applicant shall submit a survey prepared, signed and stamped by a California
licensed or registered engineer. The survey must identify and depict all existing
boundaries, encroachments and other structures within 200 feet from the proposed
project site, which includes without limitation all: (i) traffic lanes; (ii) all private
properties and property lines; (iii) above and below -grade utilities and related
structures and encroachments; (iv) fire hydrants, roadside call boxes and other
public safety infrastructure; (v) streetlights, decorative poles, traffic signals and
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City Council Policy
permanent signage; (vi) sidewalks, driveways, parkways, curbs, gutters and storm
drains; (vii) benches, trash cans, mailboxes, kiosks and other street furniture; and
(viii) existing trees, planters and other landscaping features.
(5) Photo Simulations. The applicant shall submit site photographs and photo
simulations that show the existing location and proposed SWF in context from at
least three vantage points within the public streets or other publicly accessible
spaces, together with a vicinity map that shows the proposed site location and the
photo location for each vantage point.
(6) Project Narrative and Justification. The applicant shall submit a written
statement that explains in plain factual detail whether and why the proposed
wireless facility qualifies as a SWF as defined by the FCC in 47 C.F.R. 1.6002(l).
A complete written narrative analysis will state the applicable standard and all the
facts that allow the City to conclude the standard has been met —bare conclusions
not factually supported do not constitute a complete written analysis. As part of
the written statement the applicant must also include (i) whether and why the
proposed support is a structure as defined by the FCC in 47 C.F.R. § 1.6002(m);
and (ii) whether and why the proposed wireless facility meets each required
finding for a SWF permit as provided in Section 2.4.
(7) RF Compliance Report.. The applicant shall submit an RF exposure compliance
report that certifies that the proposed SWF, as well as any collocated wireless
facilities, will comply with applicable federal RF exposure standards and
exposure limits. The RF report must be prepared and certified by an RF engineer
acceptable to the City. The RF report must include the actual frequency and
power levels (in watts ERP) for all existing and proposed antennas at the site and
exhibits that show the location and orientation of all transmitting antennas and the
boundaries of areas with RF exposures in excess of the uncontrolled/general
population limit (as that term is defined by the FCC) and also the boundaries of
areas with RF exposures in excess of the controlled/occupational limit (as that
term is defined by the FCC). Each such boundary shall be clearly marked and
identified for every transmitting antenna at the project site.
(8) Public Notice. Notice shall be mailed to all owners and occupants of real
property, within 300 feet of the proposed SWF. The notice must contain: (1) a
general project description; (2) the applicant's identification and contact
information as provided on the application submitted to the City; (3) contact
information for the approval authority; (4) a statement that the approval authority
will act on the application without a public hearing but will accept written public
comments that evaluate the application for compliance with the standards in this
Policy; (5) a statement that the FCC requires the City to act on small cell permit
applications, which includes any administrative appeals, in 60 days for
attachments to existing structures and 90 days for new structures, unless the
applicant voluntarily agrees to toll the timeframe for review; and (6) a deadline
for submission of written public comments to the approval authority, which
deadline shall not be less than thirty (30) days after mailing of said notice.
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(9) Regulatory Authorization. The applicant shall submit evidence of the
applicant's regulatory status under federal and California law to provide the
services and construct the SWF proposed in the application.
(10) Site Agreement. For any SWF proposed to be installed on any structure owned
or controlled by the City and located within the public rights -of -way, the
applicant must enter into a site agreement prepared on a form prepared by the City
and approved by the City Attorney that states the terms and conditions for such
non-exclusive use by the applicant. No changes shall be permitted to the City's
form site agreement except as may be indicated on the form itself. Any
unpermitted changes to the City's form site agreement shall be deemed a basis to
deem the application incomplete.
(11) Acoustic Analysis. The applicant shall submit an acoustic analysis prepared and
certified by an engineer for the proposed SWF and all associated equipment
including all environmental control units, sump pumps, temporary backup power
generators and permanent backup power generators demonstrating compliance
with the City's noise regulations. The acoustic analysis must also include an
analysis of the manufacturers' specifications for all noise -emitting equipment and
a depiction of the proposed equipment relative to all adjacent property lines. In
lieu of an acoustic analysis, the applicant may submit evidence from the
equipment manufacturer that the ambient noise emitted from all the proposed
equipment will not, both individually and cumulatively, exceed the applicable
limits.
(12) Wind Load Analysis. The applicant shall submit a wind load analysis with an
evaluation of high wind load capacity and shall include the impact of modification of
an existing facility.
(13) Environmental Data. A completed environmental assessment application, or in the
alternative any and all documentation identifying the proposed WTFP as exempt
from environmental review (under the California Environmental Quality Act, Public
Resources Code 21000-21189, the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C.
§4321 et seq., or related environmental laws). Notwithstanding any determination of
environmental exemption issued by another governmental entity, the city reserves its
right to exercise its rights as a responsible agency to review de novo the
environmental impacts of any WTFP application.
(14) FAA Documentation. Copies of any documents that the applicant is required to file
pursuant to Federal Aviation Administration regulations for the proposed wireless
telecommunications facility.
(15) Traffic Control Plan (TCP). A traffic control plan when the proposed installation is
on any street in anon -residential zone. The city shall have the discretion to require a
traffic control plan when the applicant seeks to use large equipment (e.g. crane).
(16) Landscape Plan. A scaled conceptual landscape plan showing existing trees and
vegetation and all proposed landscaping, concealment, screening and proposed
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irrigation with a discussion of now the chosen material at maturity will screen the
SWF and its accessory equipment.
(17) CPCN. Certification that applicant is a telephone corporation or a statement
providing the basis for its claimed right to enter the PROW. If the applicant has a
certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) issued by the California
Public Utilities Commission, it shall provide a copy of its CPCN.
(b) Additional Requirements. The City Council authorizes the approval authority to
develop, publish and from time to time update or amend permit application
requirements, forms, checklists, guidelines, informational handouts and other related
materials that the approval authority finds necessary, appropriate or useful for processing
any application governed under this Policy. All such requirements and materials must
be in written form and publicly stated to provide all interested parties with prior notice
(or posted upon the City's website).
SECTION 2.3 SMALL CELL PERMIT APPLICATION SUBMITTAL AND
COMPLETENESS REVIEW
(a) Pre -Submittal .Conferences. For purposes of SWFs only, and notwithstanding any
contrary provisions of Chapter 12.12, the City does not require pre -submittal
appointments for the submission of SWF WTFPs. However, the City strongly
encourages applicants to schedule and attend a pre -submittal conference with the
approval authority for all proposed SWF projects, and particularly those that involve
more than five SWFs. This voluntary pre -submittal conference does not cause the FCC
Shot Clock to begin and is intended to streamline the review process through informal
discussion that includes, without limitation, the appropriate project classification and
review process; any latent issues in connection with the proposed project, including
compliance with generally applicable rules for public health and safety; potential
concealment issues or concerns (if applicable); coordination with other City departments
responsible for application review; and application completeness issues. To mitigate
unnecessary delays due to application incompleteness, applicants are encouraged (but not
required) to bring any draft applications or other materials so that City staff may provide
informal feedback and guidance about whether such applications or other materials may
be incomplete or unacceptable. The approval authority shall use reasonable efforts to
provide the applicant with an appointment within five working days after receiving a
written request and any applicable fee or deposit to reimburse the City for its reasonable
costs to provide the services rendered in the pre -submittal conference.
(b) Batched Applications. Applicants may submit up to five individual applications for a
SWF permit in a batch; provided, however, that small wireless facilities in a batch must
be proposed with substantially the same equipment in the same configuration on the same
support structure type. Each application in a batch must meet all the requirements for a
complete application, which includes without limitation the application fee for each site
in the batch. If any application in a batch is incomplete, the entire batch shall be deemed
incomplete. If any application is withdrawn or deemed withdrawn from a batch, the
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entire batch shall be deemed withdrawn. If any application in a batch fails to meet the
required findings for approval, the entire batch shall be denied.
(c) Additional Procedures. The City Council authorizes the approval authority to establish
other reasonable rules and regulations for duly filed applications. All such rules and
regulations must be in written form and publicly stated to provide all interested parties
with prior notice (or posted upon the City's website).
SECTION 2.4 ADDITIONAL FINDINGS FOR SWFs
(a) Required Findings. In addition to those finding requirements set forth in Chapter
for SWF WTFP, the following findings are required for the approval or conditional
approval of a SWF application:
(1) The proposed SWF would not be located on a prohibited support structure
identified in this Policy;
(2) The proposed SWF would utilize the most preferred support structure and
location within 250 feet from the originally proposed site in any direction, or
the applicant has demonstrated with clear and convincing evidence in the
written record that any more -preferred support structure(s) or locations within
250 feet would be technically infeasible;
(3) All public notices required for the application have been given.
(b) Because Section 332(c)(7) of the Telecommunications Act preempts local decisions
premised directly or indirectly on the environmental effects of radio frequency (RF)
emissions, no decision upon a SWF application shall be premised upon the environmental or
health effects of RF emissions, nor shall public comments be considered to the extent they
are premised upon the environmental or health effects of RF emissions.
SECTION 2.5 STANDARD CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
(a) General Conditions. In addition to all other conditions adopted by the approval
authority and Chapter 12.12 for a SWF permit, all SWF WTFPs issued under this Policy
shall be automatically subject to the conditions in this subsection (a).
(1) Post -Installation Certification. Within 60 calendar days after the permittee
commences full, unattended operations of a SWF approved or deemed -approved,
the permittee shall provide the approval authority with documentation reasonably
acceptable to the approval authority that the SWF has been installed and/or
constructed in strict compliance with the approved construction drawings and
photo simulations. Such documentation shall include without limitation as -built
drawings, GIS data and site photographs.
(2) Adverse Impacts on Other Properties. In addition to those requirements in
Chapter 12.12 the permittee shall not perform or cause others to perform any
construction, installation, operation, modification, maintenance, repair, removal
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or other work that involves heavy equipment or machines except during normal
construction work hours authorized by the Municipal Code. The restricted work
hours in this condition will not prohibit any work required to prevent an actual,
immediate harm to property or persons, or any work during an emergency
declared by the City or other state or federal government agency or official with
authority to declare a state of emergency within the City. The approval authority
may issue a stop work order for any activities that violates this condition in whole
or in part.
(3) Inspections; Emergencies. The permittee expressly acknowledges and agrees
that the City's officers, officials, staff, agents, contractors or other designees
may enter onto the site and inspect the improvements and equipment upon
reasonable prior notice to the permittee. Notwithstanding the prior sentence,
the City's officers, officials, staff, agents, contractors or other designees may,
but will not be obligated to, enter onto the site area without prior notice to
support, repair, disable or remove any improvements or equipment in
emergencies or when such improvements or equipment threatens actual,
imminent harm to property or persons. The permittee, if present, may observe
the City's officers, officials, staff or other designees while any such inspection
or emergency access occurs.
(4) Future Undergrounding Programs. If other public utilities or communications
providers in the PROW underground their facilities in the segment of the PROW
where the permittee's SWF is located, the permittee must underground its
equipment except the antennas and any other equipment that must be placed
above ground to function. Accessory equipment such as radios and computers
that require an environmentally controlled underground vault to function shall not
be exempt from this condition. SWFs installed on wood utility poles that will be
removed pursuant to the undergrounding program may be reinstalled on a
streetlight that complies with the City's standards and specifications. Such
undergrounding shall occur at the permittee's sole cost and expense except as may
be reimbursed through tariffs approved by the state public utilities commission for
undergrounding costs.
(5) Electric Meter Upgrades. If the commercial electric utility provider adopts or
changes its rules obviating the need for a separate or ground -mounted electric
meter and enclosure, the permittee on its own initiative and at its sole cost and
expense shall remove the separate or ground -mounted electric meter and
enclosure. Prior to removing the electric meter, the permittee shall apply for any
encroachment and/or other ministerial permit(s) required to perform the removal.
Upon removal, the permittee shall restore the affected area to its original
condition that existed prior to installation of the equipment.
(6) Rearrangement and Relocation. The permittee acknowledges that the City, in
its sole discretion and at any time, may: (i) change any street grade, width or
location; (ii) add, remove or otherwise change any improvements in, on, under or
along any street owned by the City or any other public agency, which includes
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without limitation any sewers, storm drains, conduits, pipes, vaults, boxes,
cabinets, poles and utility systems for gas, water, electric or telecommunications;
and/or (iii) perform any other work deemed necessary, useful or desirable by the
City (collectively, "City work"). The City reserves the rights to do any and all
City work without any admission on its part that the City would not have such
rights without the express reservation in the SWF permit. If the Public Works
Director determines that any City work will require the permittee's SWF located
in the PROW to be rearranged and/or relocated, the permittee shall, at its sole cost
and expense, do or cause to be done all things necessary to accomplish such
rearrangement and/or relocation. If the permittee fails or refuses to either
permanently or temporarily rearrange and/or relocate the permittee's SWF within
a reasonable time after the Public Works Director's notice, the City may (but will
not be obligated to) cause the rearrangement or relocation to be performed at the
permittee's sole cost and expense. The City may exercise its rights to rearrange or
relocate the permittee's SWF without prior notice to permittee when the Public
Works Director determines that the City work is immediately necessary to protect
public health or safety. The permittee shall reimburse the City for all costs and
expenses in connection with such work within 10 days after a written demand for
reimbursement and reasonable documentation to support such costs.
SECTION 2.6 LOCATION REQUIREMENTS
(a) Preface to Location Requirements. Applications that involve lesser -preferred locations
or structures may be approved so long as the applicant demonstrates that either (1) no
more preferred locations or structures exist within 250 feet from the proposed site; or
(2) any more preferred locations or structurers within 250 feet from the proposed site
would be technically infeasible to achieve the operator's service objectives, as supported
by clear and convincing evidence in the written record. The final subsection of this
Section 2.6 identifies "prohibited" support structures on which the City shall not approve
any small cell permit application for any competitor or potential competitor.
(1) Allowable locations for SWFs are on existing or replacement infrastructure such
as street lights and utility poles.
(2) When locating in an alley, the SWF shall be placed at a height above the roof line
of adjacent buildings to avoid being placed adjacent to a window. When locating
in a walk -street, the facility shall be placed below the roof line of the adjacent
buildings.
(3) When choosing locations, choose locations in between occupiable buildings rather
than immediately adjacent to occupiable buildings, and not adjacent to a window.
(4) If the SWF is not able to be placed on existing infrastructure, the applicant shall
provide a map of existing infrastructure in the service area and describe why each
such site was not feasible.
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(b) Locations in the Public Rights -of --Way. The City prefers small wireless facilities in
the public rights -of --way to be installed in locations, ordered from most preferred to least
preferred, as follows:
(1) Locations within commercial or industrial districts on or along arterial roads,
(2) Locations wn commercial or industrial districts on or along collector roads;
(3) Locations within commercial or industrial districts on or along local roads;
(4) Locations within residential districts on or along arterial roads;
(5) Locations within residential districts on or along collector roads;
(6) Any location in any district within 250 feet from any structure approved for a
residential use.
(c) Support Structures in the Public Rights -of --Way. The City prefers SWFs to be
installed on support structures in the PROW, ordered from most preferred to least
preferred, as follows:
(1) Existing or replacement streetlight poles;
(2) Existing or replacement wood utility poles;
(3) New, nori-replacement streetlight poles;
(4) New, non -replacement poles for small wireless facilities.
(d) Prohibited Support Structures. The .City prohibits SWFs to be installed on the
following support structures:
(1) Strand -mounted wireless facilities are prohibited.
(2) Decorative poles;
(3) Traffic signals, signs, poles, cabinets and related devices;
(4) Any utility pole scheduled .for removal or relocation within 12 months from the
time the approval authority acts on the small cell permit application;
(5) New, non -replacement wood poles.
SECTION 2.7 DESIGN STANDARDS
(a) Visual & Other General Standards. SWFs shall be designed in the least visible means
possible and to be compatible with support structure/surroundings.
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(1) Noise. SWFs and all accessory equipment and transmission equipment must
comply with all applicable noise control standards and regulations in Municipal
Code Chapter 9.28, as may be amended or superseded, and shall not exceed,
either on an individual or cumulative basis, the noise limit in the applicable
district/zone.
(2) Lights. SWFs shall not include any lights that would be visible from
publicly accessible areas, except as may be required under Federal Aviation
Administration, FCC, other applicable regulations for health and safety. All
equipment with lights (such as indicator or status lights) must be installed in
locations and within enclosures that mitigate illumination impacts visible from
publicly accessible areas. The provisions in this subsection (a)(2) shall not be
interpreted or applied to prohibit installations on streetlights or luminaires installed
on new or replacement poles as may be required under this Policy.
(3) Landscape Features. SWFs shall not displace any existing landscape features
unless: (A) such displaced landscaping is replaced with native and/or drought -
resistant plants, trees or other landscape features approved by the approval
authority and (B) the applicant submits and adheres to a landscape maintenance
plan. The landscape plan must include existing vegetation, and vegetation
proposed to be removed or trimmed, and the landscape plan must identify
proposed landscaping by species type, size and location.
(A) If any trees are damaged or displaced, the permittee shall hire and pay for
a licensed arborist to select, plant and maintain replacement landscaping in
an appropriate location for the species. Only International Society of
Arboriculture certified workers under the supervision of a licensed arborist
shall be used to install the replacement tree(s). Any replacement tree must
be substantially the same size as the damaged tree. The permittee shall, at
all times, be responsible to maintain any replacement landscape features.
(B) To preserve existing landscaping in the public rights -of --way, all work
performed in connection with SWFs shall not cause any street trees to
be trimmed, damaged or displaced. If any street trees are damaged or
displaced, the applicant shall be responsible, at its sole cost and
expense, to plant and maintain replacement trees at the site for the
duration of the permit term.
(4) Site Security Measures. SWFs may incorporate reasonable and appropriate site
security measures, such as locks and anti -climbing devices, to prevent
unauthorized access, theft or vandalism. The approval authority shall not approve
any barbed wire, razor ribbon, electrified fences or any similarly dangerous
security measures. All exterior surfaces on SWFs shall be constructed from or
coated with graffiti -resistant materials.
(5) Signage; Advertisements. All SWFs shall contain a site identification sticker that
accurately identifies the site owner/operator, the owner/operator's site name or
identification number and a toll -free number to the owner/operator's network
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operations center. SWFs may not bear any other signage or advertisements unless
expressly approved by the City, required by law or recommended under FCC, OSHA,
Federal Aviation Administration or other United States governmental agencies for
compliance with RF emissions regulations. Permittees shall.
(A) Remove or paint over unnecessary equipment manufacturer decals and
fill-in any visibly depressed manufacturer logos on equipment.
(B) Utilize the smallest and lowest visibility stickers required by government
or electric utility regulations.
(C) Use sticker colors that are muted.
(D) Signage shall be maintained in legible condition and the carrier will be
required to replace any faded signage within thirty (30) days of receiving
written notification from the City that it is in need of replacing.
(6) .Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations. All SWFs shall be designed,
constructed, operated and maintained in compliance with all generally applicable
health and safety regulations, which includes without limitation all applicable
regulations for human exposure to RF emissions.
(b) Dimensions; Design. Wireless facilities shall be as small, short and unobtrusive as
possible.
(1) Overall Height. SWFs may not exceed either (A) the minimum separation from
electrical lines required by applicable safety, regulations, plus four feet or (B) four
feet above the existing support structure. In addition, SWFs shall be located no
higher than 10% or 10 feet, whichever is greater, than the height otherwise
permitted in the immediately adjacent zoning district.
(2) Concealment. All .antennas and associated mounting equipment, hardware,
cables or other connecters must be completely concealed within an opaque
antenna shroud or radome. The antenna shroud or radome must be painted a flat,
non -reflective color to match the underlying support structure. The wireless
facility and accessory equipment shall be camouflaged with use of one or more
concealment elements to blend the facility with surrounding materials and colors
of the adjacent street light or utility pole to which it is mounted. Concealment
elements include:
(A) Radio frequency transparent screening;
(B) Approved, specific colors;
(C) Use of non -reflective material(s);
(D) Minimizing the size of the site;
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(E) Integrating the installation into existing or replacement utility
infrastructure;
(F) Installing new infrastructure that matches existing infrastructure in the
area surrounding the proposed site.
(G) Antennas, brackets (mounting), PVC or steel risers and cabling shall
match the color of the adjacent structure.
(H) Paint shall be of durable quality.
(I) Materials shall be non-flammable and non -reflective..
(J) Each individual antenna may not exceed three cubic feet in volume and all
antennas may not exceed six cubic feet in volume.
(3) Accessory Equipment.
(A) Installation Preferences. SWF accessory equipment shall be enclosed in
replacement poles or placed underground where technically feasible, and
if not feasible, shall be as small, short and unobtrusive as possible.
Applications that involve lesser -preferred installation locations may be
approved so long as the applicant demonstrates that no more preferred
installation location would be technically infeasible as supported by clear
and convincing evidence in the written record.
(B) Undergrounded Accessory Equipment. All undergrounded accessory
equipment must be installed in an environmentally controlled vault that is
load -rated to meet the City's standards and specifications. Underground
vaults located beneath a sidewalk must be constructed with a slip -resistant
cover. Vents for airflow shall be flush -to -grade when placed within the
sidewalk and may not exceed two feet above grade when placed off the
sidewalk. Applicants shall not be permitted to install an underground
vault in a location that would cause any existing tree to be materially
damaged or displaced.
(c) Streetlights. Applicants that propose to install SWFs on an .existing streetlight must
remove and replace the existing streetlight with one substantially similar to the City's
standards and specifications but designed to accommodate wireless antennas and
accessory equipment. To mitigate any material changes in the streetlighting patterns, the
replacement pole must: (A) be located as close to the removed pole as possible; (B) be
aligned with the other existing streetlights; and (C) include a luminaire at substantially
the same height and distance from the pole as the luminaire on the removed pole. All
antennas must be installed above the pole within a single, canister style shroud or radome
that tapers to the pole.
(d) Wood Utility Poles. Applicants that propose to install SWFs on an existing wood utility
pole must install all antennas above the pole unless the applicant demonstrates that
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mounting the antennas above the pole would be technically infeasible as supported by
clear and convincing evidence in the written record. Side -mounted antennas on a stand-
off bracket or extension arm must be concealed within a shroud. All cables, wires and
other connectors must be concealed within the side -arm mount or extension arm. The
maximum horizontal separation between the antenna and the pole shall be the minimum
separation required by applicable health and safety regulations.
(e) For Replacement Poles and Street Lights. If an applicant proposes a replacement
pole or street light to accommodate the S WF, the replacement shall be in the same
location as the street light or pole being replaced; unless the replacement will not meet all
applicable standards, then replacement may be located in an alternative location that
complies with the requirements herein.
(f) New, Non -Replacement Poles. Applicants that propose to install SWFs on a new, non -
replacement pole must install a new streetlight substantially similar to the City's
standards and specifications but designed to accommodate wireless antennas and
accessory equipment located immediately adjacent to the proposed location. If there
are no existing streetlights in the immediate vicinity, the applicant may install a metal
or composite pole capable of concealing all the accessory equipment either within the
pole or within an integrated enclosure located at the base of the pole. The pole
diameter shall not exceed twelve (12) inches and any base enclosure diameter shall not
exceed sixteen (16) inches. All antennas, whether on a new streetlight or other new
pole, must be installed above the pole within a single, canister style shroud or radome.
(1) The new pole must actually function for a purpose other than placement of a
wireless facility (e.g. street light, utility pole, etc.).
(2) The design must match the dimensions and design of existing and similar types
of poles and antennas in the surrounding areas.
(g) Encroachments over Private Property. SWFs may not encroach onto or over any
private or other property outside the PROW without the property owner's express written
consent.
(h) Backup Power Sources. Fossil -fuel based backup power sources shall not be permitted
within the PROW; provided, however, that connectors or receptacles may be installed for
temporary backup power generators used in an emergency declared by federal, state or
local officials.
(i) Obstructions; Public Safety. Small wireless facilities and any associated equipment
or improvements shall not physically interfere with or impede access to any:
(A) worker access to any above -ground or underground infrastructure for traffic
control, streetlight or public transportation, including without limitation any curb
control sign, parking meter, vehicular traffic sign or signal, pedestrian traffic sign or
signal, barricade reflectors; (B) access to any public transportation vehicles, shelters,
street furniture or other improvements at any public transportation stop; (C) worker
access to above -ground or underground infrastructure owned or operated by any public
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or private utility agency; (D) fire hydrant or water valve; (E) access to any doors,
gates, sidewalk doors, passage doors, stoops or other ingress and egress points to any
building appurtenant to the rights -of -way; or (F) access to any fire escape.
(j) Utility Connections. All cables and connectors for telephone, data backhaul, primary
electric and other similar utilities must be routed underground in conduits large enough
to accommodate future collocated wireless facilities. Undergrounded cables and wires
must transition directly into the pole base without any external doghouse. All cables,
wires and connectors between the underground conduits and the antennas and other
accessory equipment shall be routed through and concealed from view within:
(A) internal risers or conduits if on a concrete, composite or similar pole; or (B) a
cable shroud or conduit mounted as flush to the pole as possible if on a wood pole or
other pole without internal cable space. The approval authority shall not approve new
overhead utility lines or service drops merely because compliance with the
undergrounding requirements would increase the project cost.
(k) Spools and Coils. To reduce clutter and deter vandalism, excess fiber optic or coaxial
cables shall not be spooled, coiled or otherwise stored on the pole outside equipment
cabinets or shrouds.
(1) Electric Meters.
(1) SWFs shall use unmetered (flat rate) electric service, if allowed by the utility
company, or use the narrowest, shrouded electric meter and disconnect available.
Permittees shall ensure the meter and other enclosures are well maintained,
including regular painting, and the use of a graffiti -resistant paint, and stack the
disconnect switch above/below the meter, instead of attached to the side of the
meter.
(2) Electrical meters, vaults and fans shall be located underground where feasible.
(m) Building -Mounted Small Wireless Facilities.
(1) Preferred Concealment Techniques. All applicants must propose new non -
tower SWFs that are completely concealed and architecturally integrated into the
existing facade or rooftop features with no visible impacts from any publicly
accessible areas at ground level (examples include, but are not limited to,
antennas behind existing parapet walls or facades replaced with RF-transparent
material and finished to mimic the replaced materials). Alternatively, if the
applicant demonstrates with clear and convincing evidence that integration with
existing features is technically infeasible, the applicant may propose completely
concealed new structures or appurtenances designed to mimic the support
structure's original architecture and proportions (examples include, but are not
limited to, steeples and chimneys).
(2) Facade -Mounted Equipment. When SWFs cannot be placed behind existing
parapet walls or other existing screening elements, the approval authority may
approve facade -mounted equipment in accordance with this Subsection. All
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facade -mounted equipment must be concealed behind screen walls and
mounted flush to the facade. The approval authority may not approve "pop -
out" screen boxes. Except in industrial zones, the approval authority may not
approve any exposed facade -mounted antennas, including but not limited to
exposed antennas painted to match the facade.
(n) Future Modifications. Any modifications to existing facilities or collocations shall
not defeat the concealment elements of the existing structure/facility.
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