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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1127 W. PROSPECT RD., WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY - PDP - PDP150033 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - WTE / WTF INFORMATION (3)Co-location Documentation – Project Name: CSU (1127 W. Prospect Rd. Wireless Telecommunication Facility) December 2, 2015 City of Fort Collins Planning Dept. 281 North College Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80522 RE: Colocation Documentation– Proposed 65’ Monopine Communications Tower Modern radio frequency equipment used to transmit and receive radio signals for telecommunications equipment (cellular, PCS, LTE, etc.) operates using line-of-sight propagation. The radio frequency waves transmitted from antennas and microwaves on tower structures can be altered by the atmosphere, but more problematically by obstacles within the line of sight that result in refraction or reflection of the radio waves and produce unreliable transmission of radio waves between antennas and therefore disturbances and interruptions in wireless voice and data services. RF engineers must take into account any tree or existing structures that disturb the line of sight between transmit and receive antennas, the presence of variability in atmospheric conditions and the curvature of the earth to calculate the diffraction, refraction, and reflection of radio waves to correctly interpret the propagation between antennas within a network. In developed areas such as this area, propagation is difficult because the area has mature vegetation and dense commercial and residential infrastructure. Commercial buildings and residential units near the proposed site present propagation obstacles, and some of the mature trees extend 50’ or more above ground level. These obstacles result in diffraction of the radio waves between antennas, so in order to accomplish reliable service in this complex, densely populated environment, RF engineers have to design networks that use smaller coverage areas with less distance between antennas as well as tower structures that can accommodate antennas at heights that reduce likelihood of obstruction disturbance. As is indicated in the map images below, there is only one tower within one mile of our proposed location. There are six existing towers within 2 miles of our location. The existing infrastructure in the area was unsuitable for the following reasons: 1. CCTM1 – 60’ Stealth Lightpole/Monopole. This is a stealth light pole structure with no additional loading capability or available space to place equipment. This facility is also too far away from the intended coverage area, and not of sufficient height given the location. 2. Crown Castle – 90’ Stealth Flagpole/Monopole Tower. This is a stealth flagpole/monopole with no additional loading capability or available space to place equipment. This facility is also too far away from the intended coverage area to provide coverage to the intended area. 3. Qwest Corporation – 150’ Lattice Tower. This is a lattice tower located over 1.55 miles away from VZW’s coverage objective and is too far away to provide the intended coverage. The tower is also fully loaded and could not support the additional required equipment. Even if it could support additional colocation, any additional equipment would have to be located below existing antennae, and would therefore be of insufficient height given the towers proximity to the intended coverage area. 4. City of Fort Collins – There does not appear to be a tower in this location, though a registration with the FCC has been granted. This location is also much too far away from the intended coverage area, and is therefore not viable. 5. Jacor Broadcasting – This is a broadcast tower located nearly 2 miles away from the intended coverage area. Broadcast towers and communications infrastructure have interference issues, and therefore colocation is not an option on this facility. The tower is also located much too far away from the intended coverage area. 6. T-Mobile – 80’ Monopoles. There are two appx. 80’ monopoles located at this location owned by T-Mobile. Both appear to be at full loading capability and unable to support additional infrastructure. Additionally, the available spots for colocation would be at insufficient height to meet coverage objects. The site is also located nearly 2 miles away from our intended coverage area, and too far to meet objectives. We are constructing this site for Verizon Wireless, with the intent of multiple carriers collocating on the facility. Whenever Verizon (or other carrier) is looking to improve their network infrastructure, they always first look to existing structures and colocation opportunities. This is because it is much faster and cheaper for them to go on existing infrastructure. When there are no structures available of sufficient height or loading capability, new sites are needed. Verizon approached Atlas to construct this site, after discovering no existing structures were available or in the area capable of meeting their coverage needs. There is a nearly a complete lack of infrastructure available within one mile of the facility, and essentially no existing communication structures located over 2 miles from our proposed site as you move Southwest from the parent parcel. Coverage in this area is severely lacking, and existing infrastructure is quickly reaching capacity limits. This site will dramatically improve in-building and in-vehicle coverage to the immediate area, and offload existing traffic in other parts of Fort Collins.