REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Updates to the Design Criteria for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way: Adopt a Resolution to Update the Design Criteria for Processing Wireless Communication Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way, and Find that the Action is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b) (3), and 15378(b).
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Planning Commission considered this item on June 24, 2019.
The Planning Commission voted 7-0 to forward to the City Council the staff recommendation to update the Design Criteria with the following modification:
* Add pole spacing criteria to the Level of Review section of the proposed Design Criteria.
The Planning Commission was generally supportive of the staff recommendation. They inquired whether the proposed Design Criteria is objective (with terms such as 'least intrusive feasible' and 'smallest size') such that it is consistent with the recent Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules. The Planning Commission also inquired whether the City can require upgrades in existing wireless telecommunication facilities in the future, using minimum spacing standard as one of the level of review criteria, and feasibility for undergrounding the equipment cabinets. Three members of the public (two residents and a representative of Verizon) spoke during the public comment portion of the hearing. Attachment 10 contains the draft meeting minutes from the Planning Commission hearing.
Attachment 11 contains public comments received after the first publication of the staff report and attachments, up to the hearing on June 24, 2019.
Revision to the Proposed Design Criteria per the Planning Commission's Action
The proposed Design Criteria previously included a pole spacing standard in the Objective Design Criteria section but not in the Level of Review section. The Planning Commission, however, suggested allowing consideration for poles within 300 feet of an existin...
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