Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 11/12/1996TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD MEETING MINUTES November 12, 1996 7:00 PM Council Liaison: Chris Kneeland I Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh, Michael Gitter Chairperson: Larry Rowland Phone: (W) 229-2280 (H) 226-6303 Presiding Chair: Larry Rowland Phone: H Members Present: Howard Lowell Tom Maher Larry Rowland Greg Smith Members Absent: Barbara Hain Ernie Powell City Staff: Michael Gitter, Staff Liaison TCI Staff. Bob Carnahan, Manager Meeting called to order at 7:05 pm. Phil Wadas Meeting Minutes The minutes of the October 8 Telecommunications Board meeting were accepted without change. Tom Maher made a motion to change the order of the agenda and begin the meeting with a discussion of TCI's request for modification of the Cable TV Franchise. The motion was unanimously approved. Discussion of TCI's Letter Requesting City Council to Consider Modifications to the Cable TV Franchise: Maher questioned whether circumstances have changed so dramatically for TCI that the company would now be seeking modifications to the franchise agreement, specifically to the system upgrade provision, just 11 months after purchasing Columbine's system. Larry Rowland and Greg Smith both questioned whether cable TV subscribers would accept the potentially steep rise in cable TV rates that would likely follow completion of an upgrade to the cable system. Rowland and Smith both Page 1 of 3 believe a potential rate increase might be unacceptable to cable TV subscribers if the new services offered as a result of the rebuild consisted primarily of additional video channels. Rowland said that public comment during the franchise renewal process of 1992-93 indicated that cable subscribers would not support increased rates if the only return was more video channels. Maher countered that new services could include high-speed Internet access and phone services, which might make potential cable rate increases more acceptable to consumers. Maher said that the issue is "what is the City out if TCI does not rebuild." Rowland stated that it doesn't make sense to dictate to a business when to upgrade. Maher commented that in several years, there will be two to three other telecommunications players competing for customers, which will help keep rates down. Maher expressed concern that TCI did not make known its intention not to rebuild the cable system when it purchased the system early in 1996. Greg Smith said that the Board's primary focus should be directed at doing what is right for citizens. Phil Wadas agreed with Maher that TCI bought the cable system with eyes wide open, knowing it had committed to rebuilding the system within a specified timeframe. Maher suggested that staff determine whether the timeline for completion of the upgrade is at all affected (in other words, does the clock stop) due to TCI's request for modification of the franchise agreement. Bob Carnahan mentioned that TCI was considering digital compression as its upgrade strategy. Development of Telecommunications Board 1997 Work Iq an: 1) Provide input and feedback to Fort Collins Light & Power regarding plans which the Utility may develop for provision of advanced telecommunications services. 2) Monitor TCI's compliance with the terms of the Cable TV Franchise Agreement. 3) Plan for 1998 evaluation of TCI's cable operations and services as provided for in the Cable TV Franchise Agreement.. 4) Meet with the City of Loveland's Telecommunications Board for purposes of information sharing. 5) Assist in the development of surveys of cable TV subscribers. 6) Continue to provide direction on the implementation of the City's telecommunications policy. 7) Assist in the development of the City's master telecommunications ordinance. 8) Monitor federal legislation regarding the telecommunications industry. 9) Invite FortNet representatives to present the Board with an update on telecommunications issues, services, community applications and directions. 10) Provide the City with input and direction regarding the upgrade of TCI's cable system. 11) Monitor developments in the local telecommunications market, particularly as they relate to competitive providers. 12) Enhance electronic communication for Telecommunications Board members as it relates to Board functions and issues. 13) Meet with the City's Electric Board to discuss telecommunications issues. Page 2 of 3 Review of Past Cable TV Subscriber Surveys in Preparation for New Surveys: The City conducted two relatively recent surveys of cable TV subscribers. One survey was completed in conjunction with the franchise renewal process in order to measure customer satisfaction with Columbine CableVision's services and operations. The other was conducted in 1994 as a means of measuring public interest in the programming offered by local PEG (public, educational, and government) channels. Upon review of these past surveys, the Board agreed that they were well done and fundamentally still valid. It was noted that it would be advisable, as with past survey efforts, to obtain professional assistance with the development and tabulation of future surveys. Rowland suggested that the City issue, in addition to surveys aimed at cable TV subscribers, a survey which canvasses the public on its knowledge of and desire for telecommunications services. He suggested that Light & Power may be the appropriate entity to issue such a survey. The Board agreed that such a survey would be helpful. Rowland further recommended that all three surveys be issued in the same time frame in order to take advantage of correlative data. There was no opposition from other Board members to this suggestion. TCI Update: Bob Carnahan distributed to Board members copies of a notice to subscribers regarding equipment compatibility which was recently mailed by TCI to its customers. Carnahan stated that TCI's daily news program had been cut from a 30 minute newscast to 15 minutes, with an increased focus on local news. Carnahan said that the length of the news program was reduced because the program was not producing enough revenue. utner tsusmess• Michael Gitter inquired about progress relating to the interconnection of TCI's system with Scripps -Howard of Loveland. Carnahan responded that progress was being made, but that no completion date has been identified. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm. Page 3 of 3 ORDINANCE NO. 122, 1996 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING CHAPTER 29 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS PERTAINING TO THE ZONING AND USE OF WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT WHEREAS, in April of 1996, Council adopted a Telecommunications Policy ("the Policy"); and WHEREAS, the Policy directed staff to establish zoning requirements and siting standards for above -ground telecommunications transceiver structures such as antenna towers and satellite dishes; and WHEREAS, providers of wireless telecommunication services ("WTS") are now beginning to contact the City in preparation for offering these services to the community; and WHEREAS, the federal government has recently adopted the Telecommunications Act of 1996 ("the Act") in order to remove regulatory barriers and encourage competition among all types of telecommunications providers; and WHEREAS, in doing so, the Act preempts all state and local laws that prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting a business from providing telecommunication services; and WHEREAS, although the Act so preempts state and local laws, it generally preserves local zoning authority over WTS facilities as long as the zoning requirements are non-discriminatory, do not have the effect of prohibiting service, and are not based on health effects of radio frequency emissions; and WHEREAS, now that WTS providers will soon be siting their facilities and equipment within the City, the City's Code must be amended to establish which zoning districts WTS facilities and equipment will be permitted and to establish review standards for WTS facilities and equipment; and WHEREAS, such Code changes are necessary for the public's health, safety and welfare. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, as follows: Section 1. That the Council of the City of Fort Collins hereby makes the following special findings as required pursuant to Section 29-75 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins: (1) that allowing wireless telecommunication services facilities in certain zoning districts of the City, as provided in Section 4 of this Ordinance, would be more appropriate in the zoning districts to which such facilities would be added than in any of the other zoning districts in the City; (2) that allowing wireless telecommunications services facilities and equipment in the zoning districts, as provided in Section 4 of this Ordinance, conforms to the basic characteristics of the zoning districts to which such facilities and equipment have been added; and (3) that wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment do not create any more offensive noise, vibration, dust, heat, smoke, odor, glare or other objectionable influences or more traffic hazards than the minimum amount normally resulting from the other uses listed in the zoning districts to which the use of such facilities and equipment have been added. Section 2. That Section 29-1 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended by the addition of three new definitions and amending an existing definition as follows: wireless telecommunication services shall mean services providing for the transmission of wireless communications utilizing frequencies authorized by the Federal Communications Commission for paging systems, enhanced specialized wireless telecommunication, personal communication services, and cellular telephone. wireless telecommunication services equipment shall mean any equipment used to provide wireless telecommunication services, but which is not affixed to or contained within a wireless telecommunication services facility, but is instead affixed to or mounted on an existing building or structure (or substantially similar replacement structure) that is used for some other purpose. Provided, however, such equipment shall also mean a ground mounted base station used as an accessory structure that is connected to an antenna mounted on or affixed to an existing building. wireless telecommunication services facility shall mean any freestanding facility, building, pole, tower or structure used to provide only wireless telecommunication services, and which consists of, without limitation, antennae, equipment and storage and other accessory structures used to provide wireless telecommunication services. Public utility shall mean a common carrier supplying electricity, telephones, natural gas, water, sewage disposal, railroads or similar public services, but shall not mean any person or entity that provides wireless telecommunication services to the public. Section 3. That Section 29-3 subparagraph (b)(1) of the Code of the City of Fort Collins shall be amended to read as follows: Sec. 29-3. Development review fees. (b) Development review fee schedule. 2 (1) The standard development review fee imposed by this Section shall be paid at the time of submittal of any development review application, according to the following schedule: Annexation Petition and Map $ 1,040.00 Rezoning Petition 856.00 Overall Development Plan 1,400.00 Preliminary PUD Plan 1,472.00 Final PUD Plan 2,808.00 Minor Subdivision Plat 896.00 Preliminary Subdivision Plat 1,312.00 Final Subdivision Plat 2,176.00 RF/RC Site Plan 2,544.00 RH/RM Site Plan 976.00 Group Home Review 920.00 Wireless Telecommunication Services Equipment Review 200.00 Wireless Telecommunication Services Facility Review 976.00 Nonconforming Use Review 1,216.00 IL/IP Site Plan 1,640.00 Administrative Change 168.00 Extension Request 496.00 Notification Fee .50 per notice mailed Section 4. That Chapter 29 of the City Code is hereby amended by the addition of three new sections under Division IV, Article III, to read as follows: Sec. 29-479. Wireless Telecommunication Services Facility Review. (a) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this Section, a wireless telecommunication services facility shall be permitted in only the following zoning districts: (1) B-C, Business Center District; (2) B-G, General Business District; (3) B-L, Limited Business District; (4) C, Commercial District; (5) C-L, Limited Commercial District; (6) H-B, Highway Business District; (7) H-C, Highway Commercial District; (8) I-G, General Industrial District; (9) I-L, Limited Industrial District; and (10) I-P, Industrial Park District. 3 (b) Applications for use of a wireless telecommunication services facility in any of the permitted zoning districts shall be reviewed pursuant to the provisions of City Code Sections 29-520 and 29-521. Sec. 29-480. Wireless Telecommunication Services Equipment Review. (a) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this Section, wireless telecommunication services equipment may be attached to or mounted on any existing building or structure (or substantially similar replacement structure) located in any zoning district of the city. Wireless telecommunication services equipment shall not, however, be permitted to be attached to or mounted on any residential building containing four (4) or fewer dwelling units. (b) Application for use of wireless telecommunication services equipment shall be reviewed pursuant to the provisions of City Code Sections 29-520 and 29-521. Sec.29-481. Co -location of Wireless Telecommunication Services Facilities and Equipment. No wireless telecommunication services facility or equipment owner or lessee or employee thereof shall act to exclude or attempt to exclude any other wireless telecommunication services provider from using the same building, structure or location. Wireless telecommunication services facility owners or lessees or employees thereof shall cooperate in good faith to achieve co -location of wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment with other wireless telecommunication services providers. Section 5. That Section 29-526(D)(2) of the City Code is hereby amended by the addition of a new Neighborhood Compatibility Criteria Chart to be numbered A-2.19, to read as follows: 13 CHART A-2. NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY CRITERIA A-2.19 Wireless Telecommunication Services Facilities and Equipment Does the project contain wireless telecommunication services facilities or equipment? If so, have such facilities and equipment and their placement been designed so as to protect the safety, aesthetics, and character of the neighborhood? PURPOSE Wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment are evaluated in the development review process to ensure that such facilities and equipment are designed in such a way as to provide functional operation for the provider and protect the safety, aesthetics, and character of the neighborhood. GUIDELINES SETBACKS: With respect to a wireless telecommunication services facility that is a tower or a monopole, the setback of the facility from the property lines should be one foot for every foot of height. However, to the extent that it can be demonstrated that the structure will collapse rather than topple, this requirement can be varied accordingly. In addition, the setbacks for ground -mounted wireless telecommunication services equipment shall be governed by the criteria established in All Development Criterion A-2.12. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES FACILITIES: Whether manned or unmanned, wireless telecommunication services facilities shall be consistent with the architectural style of the surrounding architectural environment (planned or existing) considering exterior materials, roof form, scale, mass, color, texture and character. Such facilities shall also be compatible with the surrounding natural environment considering land forms, topography, and other natural features. If such facility is an accessory use to an existing use, the facility shall be construed out of materials that are equal to or better than the materials of the principal use. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES EQUIPMENT: Wireless telecommunication services equipment shall be of the same color as the building or structure to which or on which such equipment is mounted. Whenever a wireless telecommunication services antenna is attached to a building roof, the height of the antenna shall not be more than 15 feet over the height of the building. All wireless telecommunication services equipment shall be located as far from the edge of the roof as possible. Even if the building is constructed at or above the City's 40 foot height limit, the additional 15 feet is permissible. Whenever wireless telecommunication services equipment is mounted to the wall of a building or structure, the equipment shall be mounted in a configuration as flush to the wall as technically possible and shall not project above the wall on which it is mounted. Roof and ground mounted wireless telecommunication services equipment shall be screened by parapet walls or screen walls in a manner compatible with the building's design, color, and material. LANDSCAPING: Wireless telecommunication services facilities and ground mounted wireless telecommunications services equipment may need to be landscaped with landscaping materials that exceed the levels established in All Development Criteria A-2.13, due to the unique nature of such facilities. Landscaping may therefore be required to achieve a total screening effect at the base of such facilities or equipment to screen the mechanical characteristics. A heavy emphasis on coniferous plants for year-round screening may be required. If a wireless telecommunication services facility or ground mounted wireless telecommunication services equipment has frontage on a public street, street trees shall be planted along the roadway in accordance with the policies of the City Forester. FENCING: Chain link fencing shall be unacceptable to screen facilities. Fencing material shall consist of wood, masonry, stucco, or other acceptable materials and be opaque. Fencing shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. BERMING: Berms shall be considered as an acceptable screening device. Berms shall feature slopes that allow mowing, irrigation, and maintenance. IRRIGATION: Landscaping and betming shall be equipped with automatic irrigation systems meeting the water conservation standards of the City. COLOR: All wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment should be painted to match as closely as possible the color and texture of the wall, building, or surrounding built environment. Muted colors, earth tones and subdued colors shall be used. LIGHTING: The light source for security lighting shall be high pressure sodium and feature down -directional, sharp cut-off luminaries so that there is no spillage of illumination offsite. Light fixtures, whether freestanding or tower -mounted, shall not exceed 22 feet in height. INTERFERENCE: Wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment shall operate in such a manner so as not to cause interference with other electronics such as radios, televisions, computers, etc. ACCESS ROADWAYS: Access roads must be capable of supporting all of the emergency response equipment of the Poudre Fire Authority. FOOTHILLS AND HOGBACKS: Wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment located in or near the foothills bear a special responsibility for mitigating visual disruption. If such a location is selected, the applicant shall provide computerized, three dimensional, visual simulation of the facility or equipment and other appropriate graphics to demonstrate the visual impact on the view of the City's foothills and hogbacks. AIRPORTS AND FLIGHT PATHS: Wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment located near airports and flight paths shall obtain the necessary approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration. HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES: Wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment shall not be located on any historic site or structure unless permission is first obtained from the City's Landmark Preservation Commission as required by the City's landmark preservation ordinances. (See City Code Chapter 14.) 0 0 Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published in summary form this 17th day of September, A.D. 1996, and to be presented for final passage on the -1st day of October, A.D. 1996. 1Vlayor - ATTEST: Passed and adopted on final reading this 1st day of Octo -D. 1996. Mayor ATTEST: 7