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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 10/5/2021 - Memorandum From Will Lindsey Re: Read Before Memo: Item #13 - Wireless Telecommunications Master Plan Strategies Community Development & Neighborhood Services Planning & Development Services 281 North College Avenue P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580 970.221.6376 970.224.6111- fax MEMORANDUM Date: October 5, 2021 To: Mayor and City Councilmembers Through: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager Caryn Champine, Director of Planning, Development, and Transportation Paul Sizemore, Director of Community Development and Neighborhood Services From: Will Lindsey, Associate City Planner Re: Read Before Memo: Item #13 - Wireless Telecommunications Master Plan Strategies __________________________________________________________________ Several questions were raised regarding the proposed Short-Term Strategies outlined in the Wireless Telecommunications Master Plan, and how they will increase cellular service coverage issues in the community. The Strategies outlined below work collectively to incentivize providers to fill the gaps in the community s existing wireless network. We anticipate that these strategies will result in refinement of our current standards to effectively balance aesthetic and locational preferences for facilities while also streamlining the process for infrastructure to deploy more quickly than it has been able to in the past. Additionally, the Strategies outlined in the Plan are purposefully drafted to allow flexibility in terms of the degree to which each Strategy is pursued as part of the subsequent Land Use Code update that will follow adoption of the Plan. 1. Further incentivize roof or wall mounted installations. Based on feedback received throughout the planning process staff determined that the community prefers to locate wireless equipment on existing structures when possible. As apart of the Land Use Code updates that will follow Plan adoption staff will be looking at ways to incentivize these types of projects such as by providing expedited review times or an approval by the Director without a hearing. By doing so, the overall time needed by applicants to get infrastructure in place to serve the community will be reduced. 2. Create a conditional use process for reviewing wireless proposals in residential zone districts. Currently, wireless telecommunication applicants seeking to place facilities in denser residential zone districts (such as the RL, LMN, MMN, HMN) can only do so through the Addition of Permitted Use process. This existing process discourages many applicants from pursuing such an approval due to the timeline and uncertainty of the outcome. By creating a new conditional use process specifically for wireless infrastructure, it will create an opportunity for providers to go to underserved residential areas while still maintaining the City s control over standards related to design, height, location, and placement of facilities. 3. Consider the use of certain City-owned properties. Analysis of the coverage and capacity gaps identified in the Plan revealed that placing wireless telecommunication facilities on select City owned properties, specifically parks and golf courses, would be an effective strategy to address some of the cellular service gaps that exist throughout the community. In addition to addressing service gaps, some of the other potential benefit of allowing facilities on City-owned properties are that the City has greater ability to negotiate with providers as a property owner and leasing of City property would generate revenue for the community as well. 4. Update the City's Land Use Code to comply with Federal and State timing requirements. By updating our Land Use Code requirements to comply with current Federal and State timing requirements for wireless infrastructure the City will be able to provide a more predictable and streamlined development review process for applicants thereby reducing the time needed to permit infrastructure. 5. Amend zoning standards to match federal definitions. Similar to the aforementioned strategy, by updating our Land Use Code definitions to be consistent with current Federal and State definitions for wireless infrastructure the City will be able to provide a more predictable and streamlined development review process for applicants. 6. Develop design standards and expectations for wireless facilities. Currently, the Land Use Code requirements for the use of stealth technology to conceal wireless telecommunication infrastructure is somewhat vague and unpredictable for applicants as well as staff. The use of design guidelines for large wireless infrastructure would add a resource that clearly communicates the City s preferences for the design and placement of future facilities to applicants, thereby reducing the need for protracted negotiation related to aesthetics and location. 7. Publish and update a wireless inventory map for the City. Building on the inventory of facilities provided in the Plan will help keep the community appraised of the ongoing deployment of infrastructure, as well as assist staff with a convenient way to work with applicants to identify potential collocation opportunities or alternative locations that will help address gaps identified in the Plan. 8. Encourage the use of art as a stealth deployment method for future wireless telecommunication facilities. Utilizing existing public and/or private art pieces as a method of disguising wireless facilities would be aesthetically appealing and would set an enhanced standard of design for future wireless projects.