Telecommunications Facilities Review Process

Guidelines Determining Design Review Process for New Telecommunications Facilities Outside the Public Right-of-Way 

Step 1: Project Type

Is the project a DAS (distributed antenna system) or small facility?

  • Yes: Exempt from Design Review.
  • No: Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Eligible Facilities Request

Is the project an Eligible Facilities Request? (A modification of an existing (approved) telecom facility that includes the following: a. Collocation of new transmission equipment with approved equipment on a tower or base station, or b. Removal of existing transmission equipment, or c. Replacement of existing transmission equipment.)

If the site is City owned, City signature is required on the permit application.

  • No: Design Review Required.
  • Yes: Proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: FCC Standards for Substantial Change

Does the project exceed any of the FCC standards indicating "substantial change," as listed below?

  • No: Exempt from Design Review.
  • Yes: Design Review Required.

Design Review Timelines

Shot clocks starts when the application is submitted.

  • 30 Days: Planning incompleteness check & notice.
  • 10 Days: Notify applicant if requested info still missing.
  • 60 Days: Approval time (not including tolling). 

Determination of 'substantial change' to a telecommunication facility

Height from tower or base station

  • Existing Tower: Increases the tower by: a. More than 10%, or b. The height of one additional antenna exceeds more than 20 ft, whichever is greater.
  • Existing Base Station: Increases the height by more than 10% or more than 10 ft, whichever is greater.

Width protruding from existing tower or edge of base station

  • Existing Tower: Equipment would protrude: a. More than 20 ft. or b. More than the width of the tower at the level of the equipment, whichever is greater.
  • Existing Base Station: Protrudes more than 6 ft.

New equipment cabinets visible from public ROW

  • a. Installation of new cabinets where none previously exist, or
  • b. Ground cabinets that exceed 10% in height or 10% larger in volume than existing, or
  • c. Installation of four or more cabinets.

Deployment or excavation beyond the site

  • Existing Tower: Equipment extends outside the current lease area, owner property, or easement.
  • Existing Base Station: Equipment extends outside the proximity of the base station or ground equipment.

Concealment

Defeats concealment element of wireless tower or base station.

Other Conditions

Defeats other conditions of existing facility, except those listed above. (Example, fencing, landscaping, access to site, drainage, etc.)

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