HomeMy WebLinkAbout4465 Ordinance - Amending PMC Chapter 15.100 Small Cell Tower Deployment Outside the Public Right-of-WayORDINANCE NO. 4465
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Pasco, Washington,
Amending Ordinance No. 4416; and Amending PMC Chapter
15.110 "Small Cell Tower Deployment Outside the Public Right -
of -Way"
WHEREAS, the City having adopted Ordinance No. 4416 to facilitate the implementation
of broadband services within the City; and
WHEREAS, the enactment of Ordinance No. 4416 was done in haste to meet the Federal
Communications Declaratory Ruling and Order effective on January 14, 2019; and
WHEREAS, since its adoption, corrections and other minor changes have been identified
to clarify the application of this Ordinance. NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN
AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That Chapter 15.110 entitled "Small Cell Tower Deployment Outside the
Public Right -of -Way" of the Pasco Municipal Code shall be amended and shall read as follows:
Chapter 15.110
SMALL CELL TOWER DEPLOYMENT OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC RIGHT OFWAY
Sections:
15.110.010
Purpose and Goal.
15.110.020
Permitted Communication Facility — Administrative Review.
15.110.030
Action on Administrative Review Applications.
15.110.040
Review Process.
15.110.050
Development Standards — Small Wireless Facilities.
15.110.060
Design Standards — Small Wireless Facilities.
15.110.070
Temporary and Emergency Installations.
15.110.080
"Dig Once" Requirements.
15.110.090
Duration.
15.110.100
Exceptions
15.110.110
Violations of this Chapter.
15.110.010 PURPOSE AND GOAL.
A) The purpose of this Chapter is to provide a process for permitting the deployment
of small cell and microcell technology within the City of Pasco upon that property and structures
that are not located within the public right-of-way by:
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1) Providing a permitting system for service providers to acquire a permit to
deploy small cell technology upon private properties and structures.
2) Establish design standards for facilities for independent, Collocation, and
joint location upon private properties and structures.
3) Establish development standards to provide compatibility for the
surrounding uses.
4) Provide for an expedited process of review and permitting.
15.110.020 PERMITTED COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY - ADMINISTRATIVE
REVIEW.
A) Permit Required. No person shall place a communications facility or small wireless
facility, or perform any construction activities without first filing an application for and obtaining
a small cell permit.
B) Permitted Use. The following uses outside the public right-of-way, on privately -
owned property (including within any utility easement, to the extent expressly set forth below),
shall be a permitted use, subject to administrative review only and issuance of a permit, and subject
to applicant's legal right to install and operate the communications facility on the property or
structure:
1) Collocation of a small wireless facility or a Collocation that qualifies as an
eligible facilities request on privately -owned property including, without limitation, within
a utility easement, consistent with the height and other limitations set forth in PMC
15.100.050.
2) Modification of a pole, tower or support structure, or replacement of a pole
or tower, for Collocation of a communications facility on privately -owned property
(including within a utility easement that contains other existing poles) that qualifies as an
eligible facilities request or involves a small wireless facility that does not exceed the
limitations set forth in PMC 15.100.050. All other such modifications or replacements are
subject to the provisions of PMC 25.20086 "Special Permits", and subject to the City's
design standards and regulations applicable to the construction or placement of such
facilities.
3) Construction of a new pole (or monopole tower), within a utility easement
on which there currently exist adjacent poles that are unavailable for joint or Collocation
due to structural, accessibility or other reasons, to be used for joint or Collocation of a small
wireless facility (that does not exceed the maximum height set forth in PMC 15.100.050),
and the new pole (or monopole tower) is similar in design, size and scale to those of the
existing, adjacent poles.
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4) Construction of a communications facility, other than those set forth above
in this section, involving the installation of coaxial, fiber-optic or other cabling, that is
installed underground (direct buried or in conduit) or, aboveground between two or more
polies or a pole and a tower and/or support structure, and related equipment and
appurtenances.
5) All other types of communications facility under PMC Title 15, for which
installation is permitted with administrative review alone.
6) Joint location of the fasilityfacilities within, or upon an existing
communications facility within the pre -approved, or previously approved facility location,
and meeting the design specifications provided herein.
C) Proprietary or Confidential Information of Applicant. The City shall make
accepted applications publicly available to the extent required by RCW 42.56 (Public Records
Act). Gity Applicant shall designate portions of its application materials that it reasonably believes
contains proprietary or confidential information as "proprietary" or "confidential" by clearly
marking each portion of such materials accordingly. In the event of a public records request for
such marked materials, the City shall provide the applicant notice to seek Court protection of such
records pursuant to RCW 42.56.540.
D) Administrative Review Application Requirements. The application shall be made
by the applicable service provider or its duly authorized representative and shall contain the
following:
1) The applicant's name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address
including emergency contact information for the applicant.
2) The names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of all
consultants, if any, acting on behalf of the City Applicant with respect to the filing of the
application.
3) Specific location information including GIS coordinates for all facilities,
and a general description of the proposed work and the purposes and intent of the proposed
facility. The scope and detail of such description shall be appropriate to the nature and
character of the work to be performed, with special emphasis on those matters likely to be
affected or impacted by the work performed.
4) Detailed construction drawings regarding the proposed facility.
5) Conduit and/or ground -mounted equipment necessary for and intended for
use in the deployment shall also be specified regardless of whether the additional facilities
are to be constructed by the applicant or leased from an infrastructure provider.
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6) To the extent the proposed facility involves Collocation on a pole, tower, or
support structure, a structural report performed by a duly licensed engineer evidencing that
the pole, tower, or support structure will structurally support the Collocation (or that the
pole, tower, or support structure will be modified to meet the structural requirements) in
accordance with applicable codes.
7) For any aboveground facilities, visual depictions or representations, if not
included in the construction drawings, and for new aboveground facilities before and after
photo simulations.
8) If a preapproved facility for joint location exists within, or within 300 feet
of the specific location information identified in subsection 3) above, whether space is
available for the applicant's small wireless facility and demonstrated technical evidence
justifying the applicant's failure to utilize such site.
E) Ordinary Maintenance and Replacement. An application shall not be required for
ordinary maintenance, repair, and replacement, other than to the extent required for applicable
permits required under this Code.
F) Information Updates. Any material change to information contained in an
application shall be submitted in writing to the City within thirty (30) days after the change
necessitating the amendment.
G) Applicable Fees. Unless otherwise provided by applicable laws, all applications
for a facility shall be accompanied by the fees as provided in PMC 3.3597193.
15.110.030 ACTION ON ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW APPLICATIONS.
A) Review of Applications for Administrative Review. The City shall review the
application in light of its conformity with the applicable provisions of this Chapter, and shall issue
a permit on nondiscriminatory terms and conditions subject to the following review:
1) The Director may approve Small Cell Permit application submitted in
compliance with this Chapter. The Director may approve batched applications of up to
twenty (20) sites specified in one Small Cell Permit application for processing. The
Director may approve up to ten (10) additional sites in order to consider small cell sites
within one logical service area in one application.
2) If more than one application for a Small Cell Permit is submitted by an
applicant, they shall be considered in the order received. If multiple applications are
submitted on the same date, the applicant shall indicate which application should be
considered first. Any element of a deployment which qualifies as either an Eligible
Facilities Request or a Collocation shall be specifically designated by the applicant and
may be addressed separately by the Director in order to comply with the shot clocks
established by Federal law.
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3) The Director may approve, deny, or conditionally approve all or any portion
of the sites proposed in the Small Cell Permit application.
4) Any application for a Small Cell Permit which contains an element which
is not exempt from SEPA review shall comply with the mitigation conditions of any
applicable Mitigated Declaration of Nonsignificance (MDNS) or shall simultaneously
apply with the requirements of Chapter 43.21 C RCW and PMC Title 23.
5) RF Certification. The applicant shall submit a sworn affidavit signed by an
RF Engineer with knowledge of the proposed project affirming that the small cell
deployment will be compliant with all FCC and other governmental regulations in
connection with human exposure to radio frequency emissions for every frequency at
which the small cell facility will operate. If facilities necessary to the Small Cell
Deployment are to be provided by another Franchisee, then the Small Cell Peplo5ment are
to be pfevided by another Frm then the Small Cell Deployment in the initial
Franchise or in a subsequent Small Cell Permit shall be conditioned on an RF Certification
showing the cumulative impact of the RF emissions on the entire installation.
6) Regulatory Authorization. Issuance of the Use Permit for the facilities shall
also be contingent upon the applicant's provision of proof of FCC and other regulatory
approvals required to provide the service(s) or utilize the technologies sought to be
installed.
15.110.040 REVIEW PROCESS. The following provisions relate to applications for a
Small Cell Permit for non-public right-of-way location:
A) Timing for Review.
1) Application. The Director shall within ten (10) days of receiving an
application determine and notify the applicant whether the application is complete; or if an
application is incomplete, the City must specifically identify the missing information, and
may toll the approval as provided below. The applicant may resubmit the completed
application within twenty (20) days without additional charge, and the subsequent review
will be limited to the specifically identified missing information subsequently completed,
except to the extent material changes to the proposed facility have been made by the
applicant (other than those requested or required by the City). In which case, a new
application and application fee must be submitted.
2) Completion for Review. Within sixty (60) days of the date of determination
of the completed application, the Director shall approve, approve with modifications, or
deny an application for joint or Collocation, and ninety (90) days for an application for a
new communications facility structure.
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3) Tolling. Other than tolling the time for review resulting from an incomplete
application, review may only be tolled by mutual agreement between the applicant and the
City.
4) The Director must advise the applicant in writing of its final decision, and
in the final decision document the basis for a denial, including specific code provisions
and/or regulations on which the denial was based. The decision to deny the application
shall be in writing and supported by substantial evidence contained in a written record,
publicly released, and sent to the applicant. The written decision, supported by such
substantial evidence, shall constitute final action by the City. The review period or "shot
clock" shall run until the written decision, supported by substantial evidence, is released
and sent to the applicant contemporaneously. The applicant may cure the deficiencies
identified by the Director and resubmit the application within thirty (30) days of the denial
without paying an additional application fee unless denial was issued due to noncompliance
with design guidelines or other requirements under this Chapter (in which case, a new
application fee must be paid). The Director shall approve or deny the revised application
within thirty (30) days of receipt of the revised application. The subsequent review by the
Director shall be limited to the deficiency cited in the original denial and any material
changes to the application made to cure any identified deficiencies.
5) If the Director fails to act on an application within the review period
provided in subsection 4) above, the applicant shall immediately provide the Director
written notice that the time period for acting has lapsed, and the Director then has twenty
(20) days after receipt of such notice when within which to render Ws -a written decision.
If the Director fails to do so, the application is then deemed approved by passage of time
and operation of law. The applicant shall provide notice to the Director at least seven (7)
days prior to beginning construction or Collocation pursuant to a permit issued to a deemed
approved application, and such notice shall not be construed as an additional opportunity
for objection by the Director or other entity to the deployment.
6) Any party with standing aggrieved by decision of the Director, may appeal
the decision pursuant to PMC Chapter 2.25049.
B) Review of Facilities
1) Review of the site locations proposed by the applicant shall be governed by
the provisions of this Chapter, State law, and Federal statutes and regulations, as well as
applicable case law. Applicants for Small Cell Permits shall be treated in a competitively
neutral and non-discriminatory manner with other service providers utilizing supporting
infrastructure which is functionally equivalent, that is, service providers whose facilities
are similarly situated in terms of structure, placement or cumulative impacts. Small Cell
Permit review under this Chapter shall neither prohibit nor have the effect of prohibiting
the ability of an applicant to provide telecommunications services.
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2) Review of eligible facilities requests. Notwithstanding any of the
provisions of this Chapter, the City shall approve within sixty (60) days of the
determination of a completed application and may not deny applications for eligible
facilities requests according to the procedures established under 47 CFR 1.40001(c).
C) Underground Utility Requirements. Compliance with nondiscriminatory
undergrounding requirements that prohibit electric, telecommunications, and cable providers from
installation a of vertical or pole structures in the public right-of-way without prior discretionary
review and approval in areas zoned for single-family residential and downtown commercial,
provided, however, such requirement shall not prohibit the replacement of existing structures.
Horizontal runs shall be placed underground in all areas where electric, telecommunications, and
cable lines are underground, unless otherwise approved by the Director, or designee, in connection
with temporary installations. The above requirements are supplementary to those requirements
for undergrounding as provided in Chapter 15.70.
D) Expedited Review. An applicant that has an existing Franchise, or a pending
Franchise application electing to seek expedited review for the location of one or more small
wireless facility on a previously approved communications facility having the joint location
capacity to house multiple wireless providers meeting the development standards provided in PMC
15.100.050 and PMC 15.100.060, and provided the RF certification and the regulatory
authorization as required by PMC 15.100.030(6) and PMC 15.100.030(7) shall be granted a small
cell permit within thirty (30) days of a completed application and proof of compliance with the
requirements above.
15.110.050 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS — SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES.
A) Maximum Size of Permitted Use. Small wireless facilities and new, modified, or
replacement poles, towers, and support structures (subject to the further limitation for replacement
of support structures as defined in PMC 15.10.025(AD)) to be used for Collocation of small
wireless facilities may be placed upon private properties or structures as a permitted use in
accordance with Section 15.110.020 subject to the following requirements:
1) Each new, modified, or replaced pole, tower, or support structure installed
shall not:
(a) Exceed five (5) feet above the tallest existing structure, pole, tower,
or support structure (not exceeding fifty (50) feet) as of the effective date of this
Chapter, and located within five hundred (500) feet of the new proposed pole,
support structure.
(b) Exceed ten (10) feet aboveen any utility distribution pole where
required by the electrical utility separation requirements.
(c) Exceed the maximum height limitation as permitted in the zone, or
zones, on which the facility is to be located.
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(d) Be no closer than three hundred (300) feet from an existing
communications facility_ within any residential zone target area, or location where
due to the nature and character of the neighborhood such saturation would be
incompatible with nearby land uses• impact traffic safetv and other uses of the rt' ht
of-way; and not be unreasonably burdensome to the applicant.
B) Minor Deviations.
1) The Director may authorize minor deviations in the Small Cell Permit from
the dimensional design and concealment technologies referenced in the Franchise or design
standard.
2) A deviation in height of the pole up to ten (10) above the height of the
existing pole may be permitted.
3) Deviations in the dimensions or volume of small cell facilities which do not
exceed the cumulative total provided by the definition of a small cell facility in RCW
80.36.375 may be considered a minor deviation when an applicant replaces components of
an existing, approved small cell facility. Similarly, the addition of antennae on a pole, not
to exceed a cumulative total of six (6) cubic feet shall be considered a minor deviation.
Provided, however, that in each instance the new or revised facilities shall not defeat the
concealment features set by the City's generally applicable pole design standards.
4) Small Cell Permits seeking to install facilities with the approval of minor
deviations shall be processed within ninety (90) days of receipt of a complete application
and or final approval of a permit, whichever occurs last.
5) The decision of the Director to approve a Small Cell Permit with a minor
deviation, if any, shall be final.
C) Significant Deviations. Any request for significant deviations from the approved
small cell facilities design, Small Cell Permit or City's design standards shall be considered under
the provisions of PMC 25.86 "Special Permits", and if applicable, pursuant to the
titneknesstimelines established by Chapter 15.100. An applicant seeking approval of a new pole
or a replacement pole in a restr-ieted zone Target Area or undergrounded areas, shall be subject to
the same review process pursuant to Chapter 25.20086 PMC.
D) Subject to the City's rights to additional ducts or conduits provided by RCW
35.99.070, leasing of excess space in ducts, conduits, and on a pole is a matter between interested
parties (subject to any applicable pole attachment regulations and any other applicable statutory,
regulatory or contractual obligations); however, lessees of such physical facilities must still
comply with the terms of this Chapter, unless otherwise expressly exempted by the City.
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E) Discretionary Review Requirements. Unless an applicant seeks to install a
communication facility that conforms to the specific uses, size, height, and separation limitations
as set forth above, or involves ordinary maintenance, repairs and replacement, the application shall
be subject to the provisions of PMC 25.20086 "Special Permits", and subject to the City's design
standards and regulations applicable to the construction or placement of such facilities.
F) Site Development Requirements. The site, consistent with the zoning requirements
of the district in which the facility shall be located, shall include:
1) Default setbacks.
(a) Ground -mounted equipment for wireless facilities, including any
buildings, cabins or shelters, shall be used only to house equipment and other
supplies in support of the operation of the wireless facility or tower. Any equipment
not used in direct support of such operation shall not be stored on the site.
(b) Ground -mounted equipment for wireless facilities must conform to
the setback standards of the applicable zone. In the situation of stacked equipment
buildings, additional screening/landscaping measures may be required by the City
2) Lighting and marking.
(a) Towers shall not be lighted or marked unless required by, and
compatible with requirements of, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
(b) In all districts, appropriate security lighting meeting generally
applicable standards for security lighting for the district shall be permitted.
3) Fencing/landscaping/signage
(a) Fencing.
(1) Towers shall be secured and enclosed within a fence not less
than six (6) feet in height or as permitted within the zoning designation for
the site.
(2) The City may waive the requirements of subsection (1)
above if it is deemed that a fence is not appropriate or needed at the
proposed location.
(3) For locations where decorative fencing is otherwise
required, the City may allow chain link fence if decorative fence poses a
risk for security or vandalism.
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(4) For towers located within a floodplain where the ground
equipment will be elevated on platforms, the City may waive any decorative
fencing requirements in favor of chain link.
(b) Landscaping. In all zoning districts, the City shall have the authority
to impose reasonable landscaping requirements surrounding any ground-
fxeutdedmounted equipment. Required landscaping shall be consistent with
surrounding vegetation and shall be maintained by the facility owner. The City
may choose to not require landscaping for sites that are not visible from the public
right-of-way or adjacent property or in instances where in the judgment of the City,
landscaping is not appropriate or necessary.
(c) Signage. Signs located upon or about the wireless facility shall be
limited to ownership and contact information, FCC antenna registration number (if
required), and any other information as required by government regulation.
Commercial advertising is strictly prohibited.
(d) Other decision factors.
(1) Collocation analysis.
(2) Alternative site analysis.
15.110.060 DESIGN STANDARDS — SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES. In addition
to those standards defined by PMC 15.10.025(AG) and PMC 15.100.050, small wireless facility
structures, communications facilities and wireless facilities shall conform to the design standards
for small cell tower deployment adopted by the City and incorporated here by this reference as
Exhibit A.
15.110.070 TEMPORARY AND EMERGENCY INSTALLATIONS.
A) A deployable may be operated for a period of not more than one hundred twenty
(120 days), when operated in connection with a special event after issuance by the City of a permit
based upon a discretionary review only. Deployables operated in conjunction with a special event
shall meet reasonable setbacks determined by the Director; shall be subject to receipt of a valid
building permit, if applicable; shall meet uniform fire code requirements; and shall be removed
within 72 hours of completion of the event.
B) Deployables may be operated in any zoning district after a declaration of an
emergency or a disaster by an authority executive.
15.110.080 "DIG ONCE" REQUIREMENTS. Requirements for New Developments.
A) For all new commercial, residential, mixed use and other significant planned
developments within the City, the Community Development Department and the Public Works
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Department may require that the project developer make sufficient accommodation for the
deployment of a small wireless facility within the development as a condition of permitting, and
coordinate with providers who operate, or have applied for, facilities in the City either through the
Community Development and the Public Works Departments or ensure the public right-of-way
and any planned utility easements are adequate to accommodate the deployment of both
aboveground and underground communications facilities. Specifically, planned utility easements
should allow for an adequate number of huts, utility poles and other structures, as well as below -
ground conduit, to adequately serve current and anticipated communications facilities. Access to
easements should be provided to providers on a nondiscriminatory basis and at a reasonable cost,
or pursuant to applicable laws.
B) For instances where a project developer chooses to install conduit for below -ground
communications facilities, the developer should be encouraged or required to provide, on a
nondiscriminatory basis and reasonable cost access to the planned utility easement areas. In
addition, access to easements and trenches should be made available to providers as early in the
development cycle as possible to minimize installation costs and disruption to residents,
businesses, institutions and governments, and their property. The project developer should be
encouraged to promote coordination among providers and other utilities so that each can benefit
from the other's construction activities to allow timely and efficient access.
C) The City may request additional conduits and ducts to accommodate future
development as provided by RCW 35.99.070.
15.110.090 DURATION. No permit for construction issued under this Chapter shall be
valid for a period longer than twelve (12) months unless construction has been commenced within
twelve (12) months of issuance of the permit, and is thereafter diligently pursued to completion.
15.110.100 EXCEPTIONS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Chapter,
the following facilities are not subject to the provisions of this Chapter:
A) Antennas used by residential households solely for broadcast radio and television
receptions.
B) Satellite antennas used solely for residential or household purposes.
C) Television and AM/FM radio broadcast towers and associated facilities.
15.110.110 VIOLATIONS OF THIS CHAPTER. Violations of this Chapter shall
constitute a Class 1 civil infraction which each day of violation constituting a separate offense. In
addition to the remedy provided herein, the City may seek all remedies available in law or equity
including injunctive relief and damages, including reasonable attorney fees and costs.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take full force and effect five (5) days after its
approval, passage and publication as required by law.
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PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington, and approved as provided
by law this 21 st day of October, 2019.
Matt Watkins, Mayor
ATTEST:
Debra Barham, City Clerk
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