HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/2000, C4 - INTERIM GUIDELINES FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA INSTALLATIONS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY council MW°GD��o
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Robert F. Neumann,Fire Chief
SUBJECT: INTERIM GUIDELINES FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA
INSTALLATIONS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve interim guidelines for installation of antennas on City-owned properties.
DISCUSSION
Background
At its July 18, 1999 meeting, the Council heard testimony from various community members
regarding concerns over the installation of telecommunications antennas on the South Hills radio
site. The Council directed the Community Development Department to return to the Council
with a proposal for locating such facilities elsewhere in the City and mitigating their visual
impacts.
With the retirement of the Community Development Director and their current workload,
Community Development Department staff believes it will be quite sometime before they will be
ready to retum with ordinance amendments for Council's consideration.
Given the public's desire for wireless communications, considerable pressure is being placed on
the industry to install wireless communication sites within the City limits. Many of the requests
received by the City are, for placement of very small devices with minor visual impacts, on City-
owned properties like streetlights, traffic signals, flagpoles and rooftops.
Antennas on City facilities are allowed under the City's current-zoning regulations with Planning
Commission Use Permit approval. These conditionally-permitted uses were likely established
with the intended purpose of allowing municipal communications facilities. However, private
facilities would not be precluded except for the fact that Council has never established a policy
of allowing private facilities on public land. As a result, the following negative outcomes are
occurring:
1. Sites surrounding the City are being developed, with less than adequate coverage.
2. The potential for illegal installations is increasing.
3. The City is missing the opportunity for substantial lease revenues.
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Council Agenda Report–Interim Guidelines for Antenna Installations on City-Owned Property
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Current Situation
A number of recent projects have been proposed by private parties for placement on City
properties, (i.e., the Santa Rosa Park light standards, parking-lot structure light standards, and
various flagpoles at parks and other City facilities). They could have very minimal visual impact,
and have a high potential for revenues (approximately $1,000 to $2000 per month per site). We
recommend that until new regulations are adopted, an interim process be developed, for City
properties only, which will require review on a case-by-case basis. The proposed process would
require the following:
1. Concurrence by the Department Head responsible for the facility that the installation will
not adversely affect the facility's operation.
2. Fire Chief approval to assure compatibility with City's existing radio systems.
3. Community Development Director concurrence that there would not be any adverse land
use or visual impacts. Architectural and Planning Commission review will be required
by the City Municipal Code.
4. The lease will be for no more than three years.
5. The lease will be a non-exclusive agreement—if technically feasible, other companies
may use the same site.
6. The Council will approve all lease agreements on a case-by-case basis.
Once the Department Head with responsibility for the site is in concurrence, and all City permits
are obtained, the application would be moved forward to the Finance Director who would take
responsibility for finalizing the lease details. It should be noted that under the City Charter, all
leases for more than $100 per year require Council approval. Therefore, the Council will hold
the final approving authority as reflected above.
Summary
We are receiving significant interest in placing transmittersfor wireless communications on
City-owned property. In many cases, we believe that there would not be any operational or
visual impacts associated with doing so. However, there could be significant revenue
possibilities for the City by allowing such placement, along with helping to meet consumer
demand for wireless communication services. Allowing greater dispersal of small transmitters
throughout the City is currently under review by Community Development; however, it will be
several months before the Department's recommendation is ready for review by the Council.
Until then, these interim guidelines will simply allow us to consider placement of small
transmitters on City facilities. Under these guidelines, Council approval to do so will be required
on a case-by-case basis.
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Council Agenda Report=Interim Guidelines for Antenna Installations on City=Owned Property
Page's — - - - — - -- - -- — -
CONCURRENCES
The Finance Director and the acting Community Development Director concur with this process.:
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no-.significant negative fiscal impacts. Depending_ on private sector interest, there
could be potential for new revenues.
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