HomeMy WebLinkAbout34- Planning & Building Services CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
From Michael E. Hays, Director Subject: Telecommunications Antennae and Monopoles
Dept: Planning & Building Services
Date: November 4, 1996 MCC Date: November 4, 1996
Synopsis of Previous Council Action: ORIGINAL
N/A
Recommended Motion:
That the Mayor and Common Council direct staff to initiate a Development Code Amendment to
consider establishing locational criteria and development standards for telecommunications antennae
and monopoles.
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Michael F4 Hays
Contact person: Michael E. Hays Phone: 384-5357
Supporting data attached: Staff Report Ward(s): All
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: N/A
Source: (Acct. No.) N/A
(Acct. Description)
Finance:
Council Notes:
Agenda Item No.
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CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT REQUEST
Mayor and Common Council meeting of November 4, 1996
REQUEST/LOCATION: The Planning Division has been aware of a rapid increase in
applications for telecommunications antennas and monopoles. To date the City has 21 approved
antennae and monopoles, with industry estimates anticipating the construction of upwards of
5000 new telecommunications facilities in California alone in the next 5 years.
The Development Code provides guidelines for the approval of vertical antennae and satellite
dishes -- however they were instituted prior to the growth of the wireless telecommunications
industry and could not have anticipated its tremendous growth. Based on a review of Section
19.20.030(3) of the Development Code, Staff is concerned that the current ordinance does not
provide the necessary tools to evaluate locational criteria, multiple sitings and camouflaging of
antennae. Many jurisdictions are revising their ordinances to handle the large numbers of
requests for new sites and new technologies being proposed. Staff has already begun reviewing
other jurisdictions ordinances. Several were created with substantial input from representatives
of the telecommunications industry and are incentive based and proactive, designed to provide
applicants with streamlined processing and reduced fees.
KEY ISSUES:
ANALYSIS:
The following are the primary reasons to revise the Code to better regulate antennae and
monopoles:
► More Effective Planning
To date existing antenna/monopoles have been sited individually by each company,
depending upon the availability of land. Sample ordinances from other jurisdictions
nationwide indicate that many factors can and should be used to evaluate the
appropriateness of antennae sites. Examples include: requirements that companies share
sites and poles, thereby minimizing the required number of sites, increasing setbacks
from sensitive uses and camouflaging antenna.
► Faster Permit Processing
Currently, the Development Code requires a public hearing before the Planning
Commission for antenna and monopoles that exceed the maximum height. Staff
recommends that the ordinance be revised to allow faster permit processing for simpler
antennae requests such as multiple sitings and antenna upgrades.
► New Source of Income
The City may be able to realize a new source of income by leasing portions of City
property for these antennae. Currently, private landowners lease sites to businesses for
these antenna, but the City of Riverside, for example, has been successful in preparing
a standard agreement to facilitate the leasing of City property for such facilities.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
At its meeting on September 17, 1996, the Planning Commission concurred with staff's request
and recommended that the Mayor and Common Council initiate a Development Code
Amendment to consider establishing locational criteria and development standards for
telecommunications antennae and monopoles.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Common Council direct staff to initiate a Development
Code Amendment to consider establishing locational criteria and development standards for
telecommunications antennae and monopoles.
Prepared by: Margaret Park, Associate Planner
For: Michael Hays, Director, Planning and Building Services